Environmental hypoxia leads to the following pathological response:
A)vasoconstriction of pulmonary arterioles.
B)decreased ventilation rate.
C)decreased red blood cell numbers.
D)reduced tidal volume.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Environmental hypoxia triggers vasoconstriction of pulmonary arterioles, which increases the resistance to blood flow through the lungs, and redirects blood to better ventilated areas of the lungs in an attempt to optimize oxygen delivery to the body.

Answer: B
 In response to environmental hypoxia, the body may decrease the rate of ventilation in order to conserve oxygen and increase its partial pressure in the alveoli.

Answer: C
 Environmental hypoxia does not lead to reduced red blood cell numbers, as the body would have a compensatory mechanism to increase erythropoietin production, which stimulates red blood cell production.

Answer: D
 Environmental hypoxia may stimulate an increase in tidal volume to increase oxygen uptake, as opposed to decreasing it.

Environmental Hypoxia Leads to the Following Pathological Response