2016 · Q25
‘Altitude sickness’ is caused at high altitude due to
General KnowledgeBiology
- Ahigh partial pressure of oxygen
- Blow partial pressure of oxygen
- Clow level of haemoglobin
- Dhigh partial pressure of carbon dioxide
Explanation
With increasing altitude the barometric pressure falls, so the partial pressure of oxygen in inspired air drops even though air's composition is unchanged. This low oxygen partial pressure causes hypoxia — headache, nausea, breathlessness — known as altitude (mountain) sickness. It is not caused by high oxygen pressure, low haemoglobin, or high CO2.