Acclimatization to a high altitude is associated with which of the following changes?
Oxygen hemoglobin dissociation curve, is the curve relating percentage saturation of the oxygen carrying power of hemoglobin to the PO2. It has a characteristic sigmoid shape due to the T-R interconversion. In deoxyhemoglobin, globin units are tightly bound in a tense (T) configuration which reduces the affinity of the molecule for oxygen. When the first oxygen is bound, the bonds holding the globin units are released, producing a relaxed (R) configuration which exposes more oxygen binding sites. Thus, binding of one oxygen molecule increases the affinity of hemoglobin to bind other O2 molecules. Ascent to high altitude triggers a substantial rise in 2,3 DPG concentration in red blood cells. Factors causing shift of the curve to right includes: Fall in pH Rise in temperature Increase in 2, 3 BPG pH of the blood falls as its CO2 content increases, so that when PCO2 rises the curve shifts to right. Ref: Textbook of Medical Physiology By Guyton, 10th Edition, Page 466 ; Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology, 23rd Edition, Page 667-9
Hyperventilation
Polycythemia
O2 dissociation curve shifts to right
Decreased concentration of systemic capillaries