What specific profound physiological adaptations enable yaks to survive high altitudes where cattle suffer from altitude sickness?
Answer
Larger lungs and hearts, and the persistence of fetal hemoglobin
Yaks possess remarkable adaptations that allow them to thrive in the extreme, low-oxygen environments of the highest reaches where domestic cattle would succumb to altitude sickness. The text specifies two key physiological advantages: yaks have significantly larger lungs and hearts, enhancing oxygen uptake and circulation efficiency. Furthermore, they exhibit the persistence of fetal hemoglobin throughout their lives. This form of hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen, ensuring that the limited available oxygen is more effectively captured and transported to tissues across the body.
Related Questions
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