Relative to domestic cattle, what key anatomical feature characterizes the yak respiratory system for high-altitude survival?
Answer
Yaks have larger lungs and thoracic cavities relative to their body size.
Survival in environments characterized by hypoxia requires maximizing oxygen intake per breath, a challenge addressed by fundamental changes in the respiratory anatomy of yaks compared to lowland species like cattle. Yaks have evolved larger lungs and thoracic cavities in proportion to their overall body mass. This anatomical difference allows them to draw in a greater volume of air with each respiration. This greater capacity, combined with highly efficient hemoglobin, ensures that the limited oxygen available in the thin atmosphere is captured and moved through the body more effectively, supporting sustained physical exertion where cattle would fail rapidly.
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