Question

As altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases, which means less oxygen is diffused into the blood from the lungs. for instance, at 18,000 feet you would obtain 29% less oxygen than you would at sea level. this can lead to altitude sickness, or hypoxia as it is called. imagine a mountain climber, who lives at sea level, trying to climb mount kilimanjaro for the first time. the climber is very fit so he plans to summit the 19,341 foot peak in four days, though it usually takes first-time climbers five or six days. use your knowledge of equilibrium to predict the climberâs reaction to this speedy climb, and the reaction needed to restore equilibrium.

Answer 1

 

I believe this question has the following sub questions:

1. When the climber ascends the mountain before acclimating, ___ to restore homeostasis within the body. 
2. As the climber rehydrates and rests at a basecamp, hemoglobin (Hb) is produced, which is the body's response to the stress. As a result, ___ 
3. When the climber returns to sea level before reacclimating, ___ to restore homeostasis within the body. 
4. As the climber reacclimates to sea level, hemoglobin is replaced at a lower rate, decreasing hemoglobin concentrations in the blood. As a result, ___

 

The answers on each sub question are:

1) Equilibrium shifts to release O2
2) Equilibrium shifts to formation of HbO2
3) Equilibrium shifts to formation of HbO2
4) Equilibrium shifts to release O2

Answer 2

Question subitems:

1. When the climber ascends the mountain before acclimating, __to restore homeostasis within the body.

2. As the climber rehydrates and rests at a basecamp, hemoglobin (Hb) is produced, which is the body's response to the stress. As a result, __

3. When the climber returns to sea level before reacclimating, __ to restore homeostasis within the body.

4. As the climber reacclimates to sea level, hemoglobin is replaced at a lower rate, decreasing hemoglobin concentrations in the blood. As a result, __

Explanation:

1) The body will try to compensate the concentration of oxygen so the equilibrium will shift to release O2

2) The body will try to restore the ammount of oxygen in blood so it will producec Hb and shift to the production of HbO2

3) The higher oxygen concentration will trend to increase the formation of HbO2

4) To restorre the homeostasis the equilibrium will shift to the release of O2