If a mountain climber rapidly ascends to high altitude without acclimatization, which consequence directly results from decreased oxygen partial pressure in the blood impacting hemoglobin?

💡 Explanation

As the climber ascends, the partial pressure of oxygen decreases; because hemoglobin's oxygen-binding affinity is dependent on oxygen concentration (Bohr effect), a lower concentration leads to decreased affinity. Therefore, less oxygen binds to hemoglobin, rather than carbon dioxide transport being enhanced or hemoglobin structure being stabilized, which would require increased oxygen availability.

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