Question

Explain the physiological changes in the blood's ability to transport and deliver oxygen to the tissues during the acclimatization to high altitude, and identify the time course required for these responses.

Short answer

During acclimatization to high altitude, several physiological changes occur in the blood's ability to transport and deliver oxygen to tissues due to the reduced partial pressure of oxygen. These adaptations include increased breathing rate (hyperventilation), increased red blood cell production (erythropoiesis), formation of new capillaries, enhanced Bohr effect, and increased production of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG). The time course for these responses varies, with hyperventilation occurring immediately, erythropoiesis and 2,3-BPG production starting after a few days, and capillary formation taking weeks to months.

Step-by-step solution

Understand oxygen transport in the blood

Oxygen is primarily transported in the blood through hemoglobin molecules found in red blood cells. A small amount of oxygen is also dissolved in the blood plasma. The primary factors affecting the blood's ability to carry oxygen to tissues are the concentration of hemoglobin, the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen (which can be influenced by various factors, such as pH and temperature), and the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood.

Identify the physiological changes that occur during acclimatization to high altitude

When a person is exposed to high altitude, they experience a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen in the inhaled air, which leads to a reduced partial pressure of oxygen in the blood (hypoxia). In response to this hypoxic environment, several physiological changes occur in the body: 1. Increase in breathing rate (hyperventilation): This response happens almost immediately and helps increase the amount of oxygen inhaled and eliminate carbon dioxide to maintain the acid-base balance in the body. 2. Increase in red blood cell production (erythropoiesis): This happens within a few days to weeks and helps improve the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood by increasing the hemoglobin concentration. 3. Formation of new capillaries: This occurs over weeks to months and enhances the blood supply and oxygen delivery to the tissues. 4. Increase in the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin (Bohr effect): The Bohr effect explains that when blood pH decreases (more acidic), hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen decreases, promoting oxygen release to the tissues. At high altitude, the reduction in blood pH due to hyperventilation and increased carbon dioxide removal enhances this effect. 5. Increase in the production of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG) in red blood cells: This occurs after a few days, which allows for a more significant release of oxygen to the tissues.

Identify the time course for the physiological responses

The physiological adaptations to high altitude take place at different times: 1. Hyperventilation: Occurs immediately upon exposure to high altitude. 2. Increased red blood cell production: Starts after a few days of exposure to high altitude, and can take several weeks to reach its maximum effect. 3. Formation of new capillaries: Takes weeks to months to fully develop. 4. Bohr effect: Occurs immediately upon exposure to high altitude and increases as blood pH lowers further. 5. Increased 2,3-BPG production: Begins after a few days of high altitude exposure. In summary, the process of acclimatization to high altitude involves several physiological changes in the blood's ability to transport and deliver oxygen to tissues. These adaptations occur at different time points, ranging from immediate responses to changes that take place over weeks to months.