Basic and Clinical Sciences (BCSE) Practice Exam

What adjustment is made in the body in response to decreased PaO2 during acclimatization?

1. Decreased ventilation

2. Increased ventilation

3. Decreased RBC production

4. Increased red blood cell size

The correct answer is: Increased ventilation

During acclimatization to decreased partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), the body responds by increasing ventilation. This is a physiological mechanism designed to compensate for lower oxygen availability in the environment, such as at high altitudes. The increase in ventilation helps enhance the uptake of oxygen within the lungs, thereby improving oxygen delivery to the tissues despite the lower atmospheric oxygen levels. As the body detects lower PaO2 levels, chemoreceptors in the carotid bodies and aortic arch are activated, signaling the respiratory centers in the brain to stimulate deeper and more frequent breathing. This response aims to raise the amount of oxygen that enters the bloodstream, facilitating optimal oxygenation of tissues despite the decreased availability of oxygen outside the body. Additionally, the increase in ventilation can also lead to other compensatory mechanisms, such as increased heart rate and potentially stimulating changes in red blood cell production over a longer timeline. However, the immediate and primary response to decreased PaO2 is the increase in ventilation. This adjustment is crucial for maintaining oxygen homeostasis in the body under hypoxic conditions.