South American camelids (i.e., llamas, alpacas and vicuna) are native to the Andes Mountains. In the natural habitat of these mammals, high altitudes of more than 5,000 meters above sea level, the atmospheric PO2 is about 85 mm Hg, and the PO2 in the camelids' alveoli is about 50 mm Hg.  A. Briefly explain the most likely reason why the PO2 in their alveoli (50 mmHg) is lower than the PO2 in the atmosphere (85mmHg).  The composition of hemoglobin molecules in these camelids is different from that of other mammals.  The following graph shows hemoglobin saturation (oxygen binding) of these llamas versus other mammals. B. Does their hemoglobin have a higher or lower affinity for oxygen compared to other mammals  C. Using the information in this graph to support your reasoning, briefly explain why camelids are better adapted to survive at high altitudes compared to other mammals

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South American camelids (i.e., llamas, alpacas and vicuna) are native to the Andes Mountains. In the natural habitat of these mammals, high altitudes of more than 5,000 meters above sea level, the atmospheric PO2 is about 85 mm Hg, and the PO2 in the camelids' alveoli is about 50 mm Hg. 

A. Briefly explain the most likely reason why the PO2 in their alveoli (50 mmHg) is lower than the PO2 in the atmosphere (85mmHg). 

The composition of hemoglobin molecules in these camelids is different from that of other mammals.  The following graph shows hemoglobin saturation (oxygen binding) of these llamas versus other mammals.

B. Does their hemoglobin have a higher or lower affinity for oxygen compared to other mammals 

C. Using the information in this graph to support your reasoning, briefly explain why camelids are better adapted to survive at high altitudes compared to other mammals 

 

 

100
80
60
Other
mammals
40
Vicuña
-O Llama
20
20
40
60
80
100
120
Oxygen partial pressure (mm Hg)
Saturation (%)
Transcribed Image Text:100 80 60 Other mammals 40 Vicuña -O Llama 20 20 40 60 80 100 120 Oxygen partial pressure (mm Hg) Saturation (%)
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