Chapter 34, Problem 40A

Summary Introduction

To explain:

That which subject might have lived at a high altitude where the atmospheric oxygen is low and why.

Introduction:

An excessive hemoglobin count determines an above-normal level of the iron-consisting protein in red blood cells. Hemoglobin (commonly abbreviated as Hb or Hgb) is the oxygen-carrying element of red blood cells. Human blood color is red because of this hemoglobin protein; it also helps transport oxygen from the lungs to the other part of the body and carbon dioxide returns to the lungs to be exhaled.

Explanation of Solution

An excessive hemoglobin count happens most usually while our body needs more oxygen-carrying capability, or mainly because when we live at a high altitude and our red blood cell production naturally increases to balance for the lower oxygen provide there. Subject A, B, C, D, and E have hemoglobin content 15, 15, 8, 16, 15 respectively. Subject D has the highest oxygen contents of blood in arteries, i.e. 20. Person D could be living at high altitude. At high altitudes, the atmospheric pressure is low, so the circulatory system has to function more to pump more oxygen to body organs. This is usually carried out via way of means of an increase in the blood Hemoglobin levels.

Conclusion

Thus, we can say that subject D might have lived at a high altitude where the atmospheric oxygen because it has more hemoglobin and oxygen content of blood in the arteries.