People who have migrated from the plains to an area adjoining Rohtang Pass about six months back
- have more RBCs and their haemoglobin has a lower binding affinity to O2
- are not physically fit to play games like football
- suffer from altitude sickness with symptoms like nausea, fatigue, etc.
- have the usual RBC count but their haemoglobin has very high binding affinity to O2.
Answer
(1) have more RBCs and their haemoglobin has a lower binding affinity to O2
Solution
∵ At high altitude (Rohtang Pass, above 3500 m) the atmospheric pressure, and hence oxygen availability, is low.
⇒ Altitude sickness (nausea, fatigue, heart palpitations) is felt only in the first few days.
⇒ As per NCERT, in a few days the body gets acclimatised: it compensates low oxygen availability by increasing red blood cell production, decreasing the binding affinity of haemoglobin and increasing breathing rate.
∴ After six months such people are acclimatised; they have more RBCs and their haemoglobin has a lower binding affinity to O2.
Answer: (1)