0
Red Blood cells contain haemoglobin which is what the oxygen binds with to form oxyhaemoglobin which is then transported to the different cells around the body. Oxygen bonds with the haemoglobin when it is at high partial pressure and then is released when there is a lower partial pressure of oxygen. At high altitudes there is lower atmospheric pressure of oxygen. This means that the current number of red blood cells in the body cannot meet the cells demands for oxygen. Due to the lower partial pressure of oxygen a process called polycythemia occurs, which is an increase in the bodies red blood cell count. The body increases its red blood cell count because this means there is more haemoglobin available to bond with oxygen molecules meaning more oxygen can be transported to the cells in the body, therefore helping to meet the oxygen demands of the body even with less oxygen in the air.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoAs one climbs higher away from the mean seal level, the atmospehric concentration decreases, and therefore the amount of Oxygen available proportionately decreases. In an effort to take in as much Oxygen is available to us, the human body increases the number of RBCs in the system, which also would reflect in a higher Haemoglobin count for such people. Example: Athletes train at higher altitudes to increase their RBC count, and therefore get a marginal, but useful increase in their ability to absorb oxygen, therefore they would be able to perform better than others with a regular Haemoglobin count.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThose living in higher altitudes will have a greater amount of red blood cells. Because of the decreased amount of oxygen at higher altitudes, the body compensates by generating more red blood cells to transport oxygen in the body.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoAt higher altitudes, the amount of oxygen in the air reduces (the air gets thinner). Therefore, the body increases the number of red blood cells in the circulation to sequester as much oxygen as possible.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoless oxygen in the air so your body makes up for it by producing higher amounts of red blood cells. When you first move to a higher elevation you may feel tired for the first few days due to the lack of oxygen.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoPolycythemia is the medical term meaning excess red blood cells. Polycythemia may result from living at higher altitude. The lower oxygen content of the air at high altitude causes the body to compensate by increasing the number of red blood cells.
Wiki User
∙ 16y agoless oxygen in the air that they breath.
instead of having to move more blood around the body,
you have the blood carry more O2 per volume.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoRBCs carry oxygen, but as there is less oxygen at higher altitudes you need more RBCs to carry the necassary amount of oxygen to the respiring tissue of the body.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Is it possible to have naturally thick blood?
People who live in high altitudes (where there is less oxygen available) have more red blood cells to carry oxygen than people who live in lower altitudes (where there is more oxygen available), so their blood is thicker.
What is the adaptation for loading and unloading oxygen at high altitudes?
At higher altitudes, where there is less oxygen available, the body makes more red blood cells, hemoglobin, to carry oxygen more efficiently.
Why do people who live in the mountains have more blood?
Those living at higher altitudes require more oxygen carrying capacity in their blood since the air is less dense - consequently there is less oxygen in each breath of air. To compensate for this, the body tends to produce more red blood cells to carry the available oxygen.
Does your blood thin out When you move south?
Moving south does not necessarily thin your blood, but moving to a lower altitude can. When you live in a higher altitude, your body makes more red blood cells for carrying oxygen to compensate for the fact that the air is thinner. Hence in a way your blood is "thicker" at higher altitudes and "thinner" at lower altitudes. Many areas of the American South, such as Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and coastal Carolina and Georgia, are very close to sea level and therefore have a lower altitude. Only in this way could moving south "thin your blood". However, in other areas of the world, moving south may not have any effect on your blood cells. Note, "thinner blood" is also an expression that some people use to describe the phenomenon of becoming less accustomed to cold weather after moving south. This is just an expression and is not meant literally.
Even though the cocentration of salt is higher in some gland-cells than in blood-cells the gland-cells can still take salt out of blood-cells this is an example of?
active transport
Do people native to higher or lower altitudes produce more or less blood cells than those people native to altitudes at sea level?
When a person is at a higher altitude, their red blood cells get bigger, so they can carry more oxygen. You don't have to be a native for this to happen.
People living in higher altitude have more red blood cells than those who live in the lowlands?
the reason for this is there is less oxygen in higher altitudes, therefore they need more red blood cells to maintain oxygen saturation in the blood. jsyk, red blood cells are the transporters of oxygen in the body.
How can high altitudes produce more blood cells?
People who live in higher altitudes have better lung capacity then those at sea level because the air is thinner at higher altitudes so more needs to be drawn in at a time. People who are born on a very hign mountain or plain also produce more red blood cells, to gather more oxygen, than people at sea level.
People living at high altitudes have thicker blood so that what gas reaches body cells?
oxygen
Is it possible to have naturally thick blood?
People who live in high altitudes (where there is less oxygen available) have more red blood cells to carry oxygen than people who live in lower altitudes (where there is more oxygen available), so their blood is thicker.
What is the adaptation for loading and unloading oxygen at high altitudes?
At higher altitudes, where there is less oxygen available, the body makes more red blood cells, hemoglobin, to carry oxygen more efficiently.
Why do people who live in the mountains have more blood?
Those living at higher altitudes require more oxygen carrying capacity in their blood since the air is less dense - consequently there is less oxygen in each breath of air. To compensate for this, the body tends to produce more red blood cells to carry the available oxygen.
What is the mechanism by which the body makes more red blood cells when the person moves to high altitudes?
Aclimatization.
Are there problems with LCD TVs at high altitudes?
Because plasma cells contain inert gases and the pressure increases at higher altitudes causing increased heat in plasma televisions. LCD televisions do not have any problems at high altitudes.
Why do people who live at high altitude have a lot of red blood cells?
They can't get enough oxygen from the lungs because the oxygen in the air is less; the bright red colour fades; they can't take as much oxygen to the body; the person feels tired and fatigued.
Does high altitude affect overall blood gases?
Increase of altitude does affect blood pressure, but not by much. And your body will adapt over time. For example, people at higher altitudes produce more red blood cells to carry oxygen. If you have cronic hypertention or you are on meds for high blood pressue you should probably talk to your doctor before going to an altitude of over 4000 feet.
Does blood become thinner at high altitudes?
It would seem so. Much below 12,000ft, I've not personally observed a significant difference. However, in higher altitudes, there are definite if anecdotal clinical observations of pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, gastrointestinal bleeds and various other similar phenomena. I've linked a study conducted in Tibet with high-altitude railroad workers, who spent extensive time at altitude and yes -- significantly more GI bleeds, although the article doesn't indicate the number of fatalities, if any, attributed to this.
