Final answer:
At high altitudes, the human body adapts by metabolizing carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins more efficiently despite lower oxygen levels, due to physiological adjustments like higher BPG levels and mechanisms like increased micturition to enhance blood erythrocyte concentration.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Terry, at really high altitudes, the human body prefers to "metabolize, or eat" carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. In such environments, the body confronts a decreased partial pressure of oxygen, which can lead to a diminished hemoglobin saturation and affect the respiratory system. However, the body adapts by releasing a greater proportion of oxygen molecules from hemoglobin to the tissues at high altitudes than at sea level. Additionally, increased production of BPG (2,3-bisphosphoglycerate) by erythrocytes improves oxygen delivery to tissues under these conditions.
Besides adjusting to lower oxygen levels, the body also faces challenges in hydrating properly. The act of increased micturition at high elevations is a compensatory mechanism to counteract reduced oxygen by increasing the concentration of erythrocytes, thus enhancing oxygen transport to tissues. Therefore, maintaining fluid balance by drinking more water is crucial.
Moreover, human adaptation to high altitude varies across different indigenous populations. For instance, Tibetans increase their breathing rate, Andean highlanders have higher hemoglobin concentrations, and Ethiopian highlanders show unique, yet not fully understood, adaptations.