Chemistry Assignment...at the end of my rope!?

Question

Okay, on my Chemistry Assignment, the question says: "Many populations of people throughout the world live at altitudes far above sea level. How have their bodies adapted to this high altitude environment?" I CAN NOT find a single, straight answer to this anywhere in my text book or online. I need help!!

Answer 1

A couple possibilities are increased blood cell count, larger lungs, and also stronger/larger heart
The thin air causes their bodies to produce a higher number of red blood cells so they can have enough oxygen to keep their bodies running.

Answer 2

The gradual changes that occured throughout years, have helped humans get used to the high altitudes, like mountain climbers, who have to go up part of the mountain, down a little, up a little more, and go up in that process to get used to altitude change.

Answer 3

There is less Oxygen in the air at higher altitude. There is less pressure on the body as well.

Try looking up along those lines.

Answer 4

Hmm that's an interesting question. If it's talking about evolution, then natural selection, it its talking about now days like people in mountains, then it's just a matter of getting used to it, maybe by expanding the lungs more (due to shallow air) storing more body fat (due coldness) hearts pump more(strenuous work due to shallow air) little things like that.