Final answer:
The homeostatic response to high-altitude exposure consists of a decrease in oxygen saturation and an increase in breathing rate initially, alongside acclimatization adjustments like increased red blood cell production, ultimately balancing pH levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The homeostatic response to high-altitude exposure involves a decrease in oxygen saturation and an increase in breathing rate. As altitude increases, the partial pressure of oxygen decreases, leading to lower oxygen saturation in the blood. This triggers the body to increase the breathing rate—a condition known as hyperventilation—to attempt to take in more oxygen. Additionally, the body produces more erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates the production of red blood cells, increasing the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity over time—a process known as acclimatization. An initial alkalosis can occur due to the hyperventilation blowing off CO2, but over time, acclimatization helps to balance the pH level.
Therefore, the correct answer to the homeostatic response to high-altitude exposure is (b) Decreased Oxygen Saturation, Increased Breathing Rate, Acidosis initially, followed by physiological adjustments that lead to acclimatization and corrected blood pH levels.