The chart below shows data comparing blood parameters between Pronghorn Antelope
ID: 180261 • Letter: T
Question
The chart below shows data comparing blood parameters between Pronghorn Antelope and goats (McKean and Walker, 1974) A. Explain why the data for hemoglobin and blood volume reflect the unique physiological abilities of the Pronghorn Antelope. In your answer, specify the unique abilities of pronghorn from an exercise physiology standpoint. Pronghorn blood shows less of a drop in pH after the addition of a strong acid than goat blood. Explain how this difference might be explained by differences in hemoglobin content. Assume hemoglobin is equally oxygenated in both species. In your answer, make sure you specify the mechanism by which hemoglobin can moderate pH changes in the blood.Explanation / Answer
Please find the answers and explanations below:
Answer A:
It can be seen from the tabulated data that the Pronghorm antelopes carry more amount of hemoglobin per unit blood volume as compared to normal goats. This change in high blood and hemoglobin content displays unique physiological capabilities of these antlopes. These antelopes reside at high altitudes where oxygen content is scarce as compared to low lands. In order to perform function and metabolism, every cell of the body requires constant and un-interrupted supply of oxygen. Since oxygen is already scarce in the environment of Pronghorm antelopes, they have developed this adaptive featuer of hemoconcentration, high blood volume and large hemoglobin content. This ensures high oxygen carrying capacity of their blood even under scarcity of environmental oxygen. This helps them adapt and perform work optimally at high altitudes.
Also, this hemoconcentration enables them to perform more physical efforts for the same amount of oxygen available for ventilation as compared to normal goats. Since oxygen carrying capacity has been enhanced in these antelopes, they can perform strenous physical activities like running, hiking etc without much physiological strain on the heart, lungs and muscles compared to their normal goat counterparts.
Answer B:
It can be seen from the tabulated data that the Pronghorm antelopes display a very narrow difference in pH of the blood after addition of equal amount of acid from that a normal goat. This phenomenon can be attributed to Bohr's effect. According to Bohr's effect, there occurs change in mangnitude of buffering capacity of blood by generation of H+ and HCO3- ions owing to differential binding capacity and efficiency of hemoglobin with oxygen. Since the Pronghorm antelopes have high oxygen binding capacity as compared to their normal goat counterparts, they display a higher blood buffering capacity then the goats. This helps them to sustain under hypoxic conditions of the high altitudes and maintain optimum metabolic and bio-energetic functions in the body.
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