Final answer:
A mutation in a gene region can lead to changes that allow humans to better cope with less oxygen. An example of this can be seen in high-altitude Andean populations who have a gene for a protein kinase called AMP-activated kinase.
Step-by-step explanation:
A mutation in a gene region can lead to changes that allow humans to better cope with less oxygen. An example of this can be seen in high-altitude Andean populations who have a gene for a protein kinase called AMP-activated kinase. This kinase is coupled with mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to detect reduced oxygen and signal the respiratory centers of the brain to increase respiration rate.
This mutation allows individuals to better cope with less oxygen by increasing their respiration rate in response to low oxygen levels, thereby increasing the amount of oxygen absorbed by their bodies. This adaptation helps them to thrive in low-oxygen environments at high altitudes.