why do we have more red blood cells in our blood stream at high altitude€?
2007-03-22 23:21:00 · 7 answers · asked by francesca s 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
and what atom does oxygen bind on to in the lungs to make haemoglobin?
2007-03-22 23:31:02 · update #1
It's the way the body adjusts to the thinner oxygen at the higher altitude. The low levels of oxygen stimulate the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. This is improves the maximal oxygen uptake.
Red blood cells are the body's principal means of delivering oxygen from the lungs to body tissues via the blood. To get the same amount of oxygen to the body at high altitude, you need more red blood cells to carry the oxygen.
Some athletes use high altitude training. They train at a high altitude as it is claimed that when they return to low levels, they have a higher concentration of red blood cells for 10-14 days.
Haemoglobin contains iron atoms that are able to bind to oxygen molecules.
2007-03-22 23:24:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
1. At high altitudes there is less oxygen therefore our body c ounteracts this by producing more red blood cells as the bodidies demand for oxygen is not being met. This way rbc's can hold on to as much oxygen as they can.
2. the atom your thinking of is iron it is at the sentre of haemoglobin molcule. haemoglobin has four binding sites for oxygen. and a high affinity for oxygen.
2007-03-23 08:52:26 · answer #2 · answered by cyan03 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is less oxygen at higher altitude, so More red blood cells are needed to carry as much oxygen as possible around the body.
Oxygen bonds with iron.
2007-03-25 16:57:49 · answer #3 · answered by Acorn barnacle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Red blood cells carry the oxygen around in our blood. At high altitudes, less oxygen is present, so we have more red blood cells in order to capture more oxygen.
2007-03-23 06:26:22 · answer #4 · answered by dudara 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The condition is known as polycythemia. At high altitudes, there's a sudden shortage of oxygen. In order to meet the body's oxygen requirements, the body produces more RBCs so that more oxygen can be transported and used.
2007-03-23 06:54:47 · answer #5 · answered by Raider 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe the oxygen is 'grabbed' by the iron to form oxyhaemoglobin, and when the oxygen is 'used up' the red blood cells are deoxyhaemoglobin, or just plain haemoglobin
2007-03-23 06:51:57 · answer #6 · answered by sailorfantasy2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats how the body adjusts to the thinner oxygen at the higher altitude.
2007-03-23 06:26:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋