What is hypoxia?

Hypoxia refers specifically to a deficiency of oxygen in the tissues or cells of the body. This condition can arise when the oxygen levels in the surrounding environment or in the circulatory system are insufficient for cellular needs, resulting in inadequate oxygen supply to sustain metabolic processes.

While it is important to consider the role of hemoglobin in transporting oxygen (as mentioned in one of the other options), hypoxia itself is characterized by the lack of oxygen at the cellular level, which is crucial for energy production. The presence of carbon dioxide or its lack is related to respiratory dynamics, but it is not a defining characteristic of hypoxia.

Thus, the correct understanding of hypoxia is centered on its impact at the cellular level, where a shortage of oxygen leads to impaired function and can affect overall health.