Question

What is adaptation? Explain physiological adaptation taking an example of altitude illness.

Answer 1

• Adaptation is an attribute of the organism that enables the organism to survive and reproduce in its habitat. Many adaptions have evolved over a long evolutionary time and are genetically fixed. Adaptation can be morphological, physiological and behavioural.
• Altitude sickness is a physiological adaptation. It can be experienced at the high altitude where the body does not get enough oxygen due to low atmospheric pressure and cause nausea, fatigue and heart palpitations. Under these conditions, body increase RBCs production, decrease the binding capacity of haemoglobin and increase breathing rate.
• These physiological adaptations allow organisms to respond quickly to stressful conditions.