Final answer:
Anemic hypoxia occurs when there is a decreased ability of the blood to carry oxygen due to diminished hemoglobin levels, often associated with conditions like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. These diseases alter the shape or amount of hemoglobin, impeding effective oxygen transport. Other factors such as CO2 levels, pH, and temperature also influence hemoglobin's oxygen-carrying capacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of hypoxia that results from a decreased carrying capacity due to an abnormal or decreased hemoglobin (Hgb) level is referred to as anemic hypoxia. This condition may be associated with diseases such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. In sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells become crescent-shaped and are unable to pass easily through the capillaries, thus interfering with oxygen delivery. Thalassemia is characterized by a genetic defect leading to reduced levels of hemoglobin in red blood cells, again leading to a reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
Other forms of hemoglobin disorders such as Hemoglobin M (HbM) can also cause anemic hypoxia, where the iron in the hemoglobin is in the ferric state instead of the usual ferrous state, preventing it from binding oxygen effectively. Factors that affect oxygen binding to hemoglobin also play a role in anemic hypoxia, including variables such as carbon dioxide levels, blood pH, and body temperature. A shift in the oxygen dissociation curve to the right, due to these factors, means that more oxygen is needed for hemoglobin to achieve the same saturation level.