Final answer:
At altitude, the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve does indeed shift to the right, indicating a lower affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, which helps deliver oxygen more readily to the tissues. This rightward shift is true and reflects the body's response to lower atmospheric oxygen pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to how certain factors cause the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to shift either to the right or the left. This curve illustrates the relationship between the partial pressure of oxygen and the saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen. At high altitudes, the partial pressure of oxygen is lower, which can result in a rightward shift of the dissociation curve. This shift indicates a decreased affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, meaning hemoglobin releases oxygen more readily to the tissues.
Factors that contribute to a rightward shift in the dissociation curve include increased levels of carbon dioxide, higher temperature, lower pH (more acidic), and higher concentrations of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG) in the blood. On the other hand, a leftward shift, indicating increased affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, occurs under opposite conditions such as lower carbon dioxide levels, lower temperature, higher pH (more alkaline), and lower concentrations of 2,3-BPG.
In summary, a rightward shift of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve at altitude is indeed true due to the body's physiological response to ensure adequate oxygen delivery to tissues despite lower environmental oxygen levels.