NEET 2006 Biology question

People living at sea level have around 5 million RBC per cubic millimeter of their blood whereas those living at an altitude of 5400 metres have around 8 million. This is because at high altitude-

(1)People get pollution-free air to breathe and more oxygen is available
(2)Atmospheric O level is less and hence more RBCs are needed to absorb the required amount of O to surviveCorrect
(3)There is more UV radiation which enhances RBC production
(4)People eat more nutritive food, therefore more RBCs are formed

Answer: (2)

Solution

At high altitude the atmospheric pressure, and so the partial pressure of oxygen, is low; the blood therefore carries less O2 per red cell. As an adaptation (acclimatisation) the kidneys release erythropoietin, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce

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Question ID VK-089680