Alan Forsythe, a middle-aged college professor from Boston, is in the Swiss Alps studying astronomy during his sabbatical leave. He has been there for two days and plans to stay the entire year. However, he notices that he is short of breath when he walks up steps and tires easily with any physical activity. His symptoms gradually disappear, and he feels fine after less than a month. Upon returning to the United States, he has a complete physical exam and is told that his erythrocyte count is higher than normal.a. Attempt to explain this finding.b. Will his RBC count remain at this higher-than-normal level? Why or why not?

Anemia is defined as:

a. a decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

b. a decreased iron content of the blood.

c. decreased bone marrow function.

d. abnormalities in hemoglobin.

Predict how abnormal hemoglobin proteins that contain only two iron ions, instead of four, would affect homeostasis.

Mr. Jackson presents to the emergency room with a minor wound that has bled for several days. An examination of his medical history reveals that Mr. Jackson has hemophilia A, which is caused by a deficiency of factor VIII. Your co-worker suggests that you give Mr. Jackson some platelets to stop the bleeding. Will this help your patient? Why or why not?