1. The Circulatory and
Respiration System
By Nurul Washifa binti Ruzlan

2. LET SAY THAT A HEALTHY PERSON, MALE, AGED
20-30 YEARS OLD WANTS TO CLIMB MOUNT
EVEREST . PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CHANGES IN
HIS CIRCULATORY AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
WHEN HE
a) IS CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN
b) WHEN HE REACHED THE HIGHEST PEAK
c) IF HE WERE TO SUFFER FROM HYPOXIA/HIGH
ALTITUDE SICKNESS. WHAT ARE HIS
SYMPTOMS AND WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE
TREATMENT?
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3. a)
IS CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN
Circulatory system
 An increase in the flow of blood
 An increase in the ability of the blood to carry
oxygen
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4. a)
IS CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN
Respiratory system
 An increase in breathing
 The pressure of oxygen raises in the
lungs, which allows more oxygen to be carried
in the blood to vital organs like the brain and
muscles
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5. b)
WHEN HE REACHED THE HIGHEST PEAK
Circulatory system
• The heart beats faster
• The stroke volume is slightly decreased
• Non-essential bodily functions are suppressed
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6. b)
WHEN HE REACHED THE HIGHEST PEAK
Respiratory system
• The lack of oxygen is sensed by the carotid
bodies, which causes an increase in the
breathing rate (hyperventilation)
• The adverse effect of respiratory
alkalosis, inhibiting the respiratory center from
enhancing the respiratory rate as much as
would be required
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7. c)
IF HE WERE TO SUFFER FROM HYPOXIA/HIGH
ALTITUDE SICKNESS. WHAT ARE HIS SYMPTOMS AND
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE TREATMENT?
Circulatory system
 Hemoglobin in red cells cannot fully saturate
with oxygen
 Affect cardiac output
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8. c)
IF HE WERE TO SUFFER FROM HYPOXIA/HIGH
ALTITUDE SICKNESS. WHAT ARE HIS SYMPTOMS AND
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE TREATMENT?
Respiratory system
 Inadequate amounts of O2 in the alveoli
 Abnormal breath sounds
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9. c)
IF HE WERE TO SUFFER FROM HYPOXIA/HIGH
ALTITUDE SICKNESS. WHAT ARE HIS SYMPTOMS AND
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE TREATMENT?
The symptoms are:
 Acute mountain sickness (AMS)
 High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)
 High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE)
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10. c)
IF HE WERE TO SUFFER FROM HYPOXIA/HIGH
ALTITUDE SICKNESS. WHAT ARE HIS SYMPTOMS AND
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE TREATMENT?
The possible treatments are:
AMS
 Ascend slowly
 Avoid strenuous efforts at the initial phase of
acclimatization
 Provide a good hydration ingesting at least 3
litres of water per day
 Eat light meals in which carbohydrates
predominate
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11. c)
IF HE WERE TO SUFFER FROM HYPOXIA/HIGH
ALTITUDE SICKNESS. WHAT ARE HIS SYMPTOMS AND
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE TREATMENT?
The possible treatments are:
HAPE
 Use of nifedipine
 Inhalation of nitric oxide
HACE
 A slow ascent
 Good hydration
 Avoidance of strenuous exercises
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12. 12

13. BONUS QUESTION
WOULD IT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE
IS THE CLIMBER IS THE
FEMALE?
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14. THE ANSWER IS…..
12/19/2013
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15. YES!!!BECAUSE…..
 Climbing was fundamentally different for female
and male
 Female have far lower levels of muscle-building
hormones
 Female have weak upper body
12/19/2013
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