Question

Indigenous highlanders living in the Andean altiplano in South America, in the Tibetan plateau in Asia, and at the highest elevations of the Ethiopian highlands in east Africa have all adapted to living in an environment of oxygen-thin air. Researchers have found that

Answer 1

Indigenous populations in high-altitude regions have developed unique biological and cultural adaptations, such as increased hemoglobin levels in the Andes and more frequent breathing in Tibet, to cope with low-oxygen environments.

Step-by-step explanation:

Indigenous populations living in high-altitude regions such as the Andean altiplano, Tibetan plateau, and the Ethiopian highlands have undergone unique adaptations to cope with the low-oxygen environment. For instance, Tibetans have developed the ability to take more breaths per minute. In contrast, those living in the Andes have a higher concentration of hemoglobin in their blood, which allows them to transport oxygen more efficiently. The adaptations of the Ethiopian highland populations remain less understood but demonstrate the diversity of human physiological responses to similar environmental challenges.

The Andean people have also adapted culturally and technologically to their environment, notably in agriculture. They developed terrace farming to create arable land on steep inclines for growing crops like potatoes, maize, and coca at different altitudes, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of their diverse ecological zones.