Mountain climbers must take several weeks to get used to the reduced oxygen at high altitudes. The reduced oxygen is a result of the following equilibrium, where Hb represents hemoglobin, the protein that is responsible for transporting oxygen to the cells in the body. Hb(aq) + O2(g) ? HbO2(g) a) What happens to the equilibrium when a mountain climber is first introduced to the reduced oxygen? b) Over time, a mountain climber’s body adjusts by producing more hemoglobin. How does this affect the equilibrium?
Added by Amanda M.
Close
Step 1
According to Le Chatelier's principle, the equilibrium will shift to the side with fewer moles of O2 to counteract the change. In this case, the equilibrium will shift to the right, forming more HbO2 (oxyhemoglobin) to compensate for the reduced oxygen levels. Show more…
Show all steps
Your feedback will help us improve your experience
Supreeta N and 59 other Chemistry 101 educators are ready to help you.
Ask a new question
Labs
Want to see this concept in action?
Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.
Key Concepts
Recommended Videos
Athletes who train at high altitudes initially experience hypoxia, which causes their body to produce more hemoglobin. When an athlete first arrives at high altitude, a. What is the stress on the hemoglobin equilibrium? b. In what direction does the hemoglobin equilibrium shift?
Reaction Rates and Chemical Equilibrium
Changing Equilibrium Conditions: Le Chatelier's Principle
Base camp for climbers ascending Mount Everest is at 5,500 m (18,000 feet). At this altitude, atmospheric pressure is approximately 50% of that at sea level. How do you think these factors will affect PO2 and PCO2 inside the climber's alveoli and lung capillaries? How does this situation affect physical performance? Do you think this situation poses a challenge to the climber's blood pH? If so, what will be the physiological response of the climber to this challenge? Tip: consider the effect on medullary, carotid, and aortic chemoreceptors. Justify all your responses!
Supreeta N.
The air is thinner and there is less oxygen at high altitudes, so climbers of Mount Everest who do not use oxygen tanks during their climb often have periods of disorientation. What might cause this? -Gravity has less effect on the human body at higher elevations, so climbers lose their balance more easily. -Enzymes do not work in a limited oxygen environment; therefore, metabolic reactions are slowed and disorientation results. -The thinner air is, the more it may throw off a climber's balance. -Oxygen is not in enough quantity for the brain to function properly.
Rupsa S.
Recommended Textbooks
Chemistry: Structure and Properties
Chemistry The Central Science
Chemistry
Transcript
Watch the video solution with this free unlock.
EMAIL
PASSWORD