High Altitude Physiology Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason for hypoxia at high altitudes?

The barometric pressure is low

The amount of oxygen available in the atmosphere is lower

The carbon dioxide level increases

The partial pressure of oxygen decreases (correct)

What is the response of the respiratory system to high altitude?

Increased heart rate

Increased depth of respiration

Vasoconstriction

Hyperventilation (correct)

What is the effect of hypoxia on the cardiovascular system?

Stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system

Vasodilation in peripheral vasculature

Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system (correct)

Decreased rate and force of contraction of heart

At what altitude can people ascend without any adverse effect?

Above 8000 ft Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of hypoxia on pulmonary vasculature?

Vasoconstriction Signup and view all the answers

What is the long-term effect of hyperventilation?

Carbon dioxide washout Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of hypoxia on blood vessels in the respiratory system?

Vasodilatation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of breathlessness in mountain sickness?

Pulmonary edema Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of oxygen therapy in treating mountain sickness?

To restore normal oxygen levels in the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of deep sea pressure on the lungs?

It keeps the lungs inflated Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the condition caused by extremely high alveolar gas pressure in the lungs?

Hyperbarism Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increasing pressure on closed body cavities in deep sea conditions?

It causes barotrauma Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of vasoconstriction on the respiratory system?

Matched ventilation and perfusion Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Erythropoietin in the hematological system?

Stimulating the production of red blood cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the earliest effect of hypoxia on the nervous system?

Feeling of laziness and sleepiness Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of symptoms in the digestive system during mountain sickness?

Expansion of gases in the gastrointestinal tract Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the condition characterized by adverse effects of hypoxia at high altitude?

Mountain sickness Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increased red blood cell count on blood viscosity?

Increased blood viscosity Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason why closed cavities are at risk of injury in deep sea diving?

The pressure outside the body rises and cannot equilibrate with the internal environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the common manifestation of effusion and bleeding in the middle ear?

Earache and hearing loss Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of decompression sickness?

Nitrogen bubbles forming in the body fluids Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of bubbles in the myelin sheath of sensory nerve fibers?

Pain in joints, numbness, tingling, and muscle cramps Signup and view all the answers

What is the most severe consequence of decompression sickness?

Unconsciousness and death Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe decompression sickness?

The Bends Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

High Altitude Physiology

High altitude is defined as any altitude above 8000 ft from mean sea level.
At high altitudes, the barometric pressure is low, leading to a decrease in partial pressure of oxygen, resulting in hypoxia.
The amount of oxygen available in the atmosphere is the same as at sea level, but the low barometric pressure reduces the oxygen availability to the body.
Hypoxia leads to increased rate and depth of respiration (hyperventilation) to match oxygen needs.

Effects of High Altitude on Human Body

Respiratory system: Hypoxia leads to increased rate and depth of respiration (hyperventilation) to match oxygen needs, which may cause carbon dioxide washout.
Cardiovascular system: Hypoxia stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, increasing heart rate and force of contraction to match oxygen demand.
Vasculature: Hypoxia causes vasoconstriction in pulmonary vasculature to match ventilation and perfusion in the respiratory system.
Hematological system: Hypoxia stimulates the production of red blood cells, leading to increased oxygen carrying capacity and blood viscosity.
Nervous system: Hypoxia affects motor, sensory, and reflex systems, causing symptoms such as laziness, sleepiness, headache, and poor neuromuscular coordination.

Mountain Sickness

Mountain sickness is a condition characterized by adverse effects of hypoxia at high altitude.
Symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, and earache/hearing loss.
Mountain sickness can occur within a day in individuals who are not adapted to high altitude.

Deep Sea Physiology

When humans descend beneath the sea, the pressure around them increases tremendously.
Air must be supplied at high pressure to keep the lungs inflated, exposing the blood to extremely high alveolar gas pressure (hyperbarism).
Hyperbarism can cause significant alterations in body physiology and can be lethal.

Effects of Deep Sea on Human Body

Barotrauma: Increasing pressure can cause damage to closed body cavities such as the eye and middle ear.
Decompression sickness (Bends): Sudden surfacing after prolonged diving can cause nitrogen bubbles to form in the body, leading to symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, itching, and muscle cramps.

Decompression Sickness (Bends)

Symptoms are due to the escape of nitrogen from the tissues in the form of bubbles.
Symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, itching, muscle cramps, coronary ischemia, brain or spinal cord damage, dizziness, paralysis, shortness of breath, and choking.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the effects of high altitude on the human body, including the impact of low barometric pressure on oxygen levels and the consequences of hypoxia. Understand how the body adapts to high-altitude environments and the physiological changes that occur. Assess your understanding of high altitude physiology with this quiz.