Permanent And Temporary Respiratory Adaptations Of
The Llama (Llama Glama) And The Deer Mouse (Peromyscus Maniculatus)
The Llama (Llama Glama) And The Deer Mouse (Peromyscus Maniculatus)
Llamas are part of the camel family; they live very high up in mountain areas that can be up to 5000 feet. Here there is lots of pressure meaning oxygen is limited. In order for the llama to survive in these conditions they have had to adapt physiologically. They use erythrocytes with high levels of hemoglobin to help extract oxygen more easily from the environment
Llamas have had to adapt to be able to survive; the graph shows the oxygen dissociation curve in comparison to other animals. Llamas have been able to lower the P50 value meaning oxygen intake is easier in low pressure areas.
Llamas have had to adapt to be able to survive; the graph shows the oxygen dissociation curve in comparison to other animals. Llamas have been able to lower the P50 value meaning oxygen intake is easier in low pressure areas.
The deer mouse is a mammal that spends most its time burrowing and if not doing that they will be in a forest environment looking for food.
They can survive at high and low altitudes, if a mouse has
good blood oxygen affinity it can obtain a lower P50 value meaning they have a
better chance of survival in these different conditions. As you can see on the
graph oxygen is shifted to the left, meaning oxygen can be taken in even from
low altitude conditions.
DPG is what allows the Llama and
Deer Mouse to adapt to these different altitudes, the hemoglobin reduces the
bloods oxygen levels. When DPG is low it will be high in hemoglobin, this
means these interact and affect each other which will also relate to further offspring
as it will be in the genetics.
The oxygen dissociation curve is
essential for the surviving of these two animals however they need to ensure
they get the balance right because if they shift it too far to the left it
would result in oxygen not been able to be released meaning death will occur.
Hypoxia reduces oxygen in high altitude areas due to diffusion within the lungs here there will be less hemoglobin meaning less oxygen will be transported to tissues due to it not been as necessary.
By altering hemoglobin and DPG levels the Llama and Deer Mouse are able to vary the oxygen levels they extract from the atmosphere. When DPG decreases the oxygen levels can increase, when in high altitudes it is essential DPG is still present as otherwise oxygen cannot be released.
Hypoxia reduces oxygen in high altitude areas due to diffusion within the lungs here there will be less hemoglobin meaning less oxygen will be transported to tissues due to it not been as necessary.
By altering hemoglobin and DPG levels the Llama and Deer Mouse are able to vary the oxygen levels they extract from the atmosphere. When DPG decreases the oxygen levels can increase, when in high altitudes it is essential DPG is still present as otherwise oxygen cannot be released.