222k views
4 votes
Individuals who are successful climbing to high altitudes have a great capacity to hyperventilate. Hyperventilation results in ______________.

a. higher PO2 in the blood
b. a decrease in arterial pH
c. left shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve
d. All of these answers are correct

User Chris KL
by
8.4k points

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

Hyperventilation in individuals climbing to high altitudes results in a higher PO2 in the blood, a decrease in arterial pH, and a left shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve.

Step-by-step explanation:

Individuals who are successful in climbing to high altitudes do indeed have a great capacity to hyperventilate. Hyperventilation results in all of these answers being correct: a higher partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) in the blood, a decrease in arterial pH, and a left shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. During hyperventilation, an individual breathes at an increased rate, which leads to abnormally low blood carbon dioxide levels and a higher, more alkaline blood pH. This response helps to maximize the amount of oxygen that hemoglobin can carry in the blood in low oxygen environments. Additionally, the left shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve means hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen, thus promoting oxygen uptake in the lungs.

User Jens Timmerman
by
8.3k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.