cHeMoReCePtOrS

Question 1

Where are the central chemoreceptors located?

Answer 1

On the ventrolateral side of the medulla

Question 2

What are the central chemoreceptors insensitive to?

Answer 2

Hypoxia

Question 3

What do the central chemoreceptors do?

Answer 3

They ~70% of the increase in ventilation when PCO2 increases

Question 4

Where are the peripheral chemoreceptors located?

Answer 4

These are located in the carotid and aortic arch, close to the baroreceptors.

Question 5

What do the peripheral chemoreceptors do?

Answer 5

They cause about ~30% of the increase in ventilation when PCO2 increases.
They also detect significant decreases PO2

Question 6

Explain how central chemoreceptors work

Answer 6

CO2 travels from the medulla into the CSF. CA converts this to along with H2O to H2CO3 and then to H+ and HCO3-. The H+ goes back into the medulla and is detected by the central chemoreceptors and this alerts the inspiratory centre

Question 7

What three things do the peripheral chemoreceptors detect?

Answer 7

• hypoxia
• increased H+ concentration
• increased PCO2