Letter A

Altitude, acclimatization to

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>The depth of respiration increases; >The pressure in the pulmonary arteries increases, forcing blood into portions of the lung which are normally not used at sea level; >We make more red blood cells to carry oxygen; >We make more of a specific substance (called 2,4-DPG)that facilitates the release of oxygen from hemoglobin to the body tissues.</LI></UL> Acclimatization generally takes 1 to 3 days at a given altitude.

For example, if a person hikes to 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) and spends several days at that altitude, their body acclimatizes to 10,000 feet (3,048 meters).

If the person then climbs to 12,000 feet (3,658 meters), the body needs to acclimatize once again and it takes another 1 to 3 days.

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