Blood flow adaptations to anemia are achieved by increasing the respiration rate and:
A) Increasing the circulation rate
B) Decreasing 2,3-BPG
C) Decreasing cardiac output
D) Increasing blood viscosity

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To compensate for anemia and maintain oxygen delivery to the tissues, the body increases the respiration rate and also increases the circulatory rate. This allows for a higher volume of blood to be circulated, which helps to compensate for the reduced amount of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in each red blood cell. Decreasing 2,3-BPG (answer B) would actually make it more difficult to release oxygen from hemoglobin, which is not a desirable adaptation in anemia. Decreasing cardiac output (answer C) would decrease the volume of blood being circulated, which would not be an effective adaptation to maintain adequate oxygen delivery. Increasing blood viscosity (answer D) would actually make it more difficult for blood to flow through the vessels and would not be an effective adaptation to compensate for anemia.

Blood Flow Adaptations to Anemia Are Achieved by Increasing the Respiration