Control of human breathing

Question 1

What part of the brain controls human breathing?

Answer 1

the medulla oblongata

Question 2

How does the brain control breathing?

Answer 2

The brain monitors the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood that passes through it.

Question 3

Is carbon dioxide slightly basic or acidic?

Answer 3

Slightly acidic. It dissolves in water to form a weak acid called carbonic acid.

Question 4

What does carbonic acid do to blood and tissue fluid?

Answer 4

the pH of the blood and tissue fluid fall slightly from 7.4.

Question 5

How does the brain react to the drop in pH level in the blood and tissue fluid?

Answer 5

Special centres in the brain detect the slight drop in pH and react by sending out impulses to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles that cause us to breathe.

Question 6

What do we breath in response to?

Answer 6

We breathe in response to high levels of carbon dioxide, rather than responding to low levels of oxygen

Question 7

What causes the opening and closing of the stomata in leaves?

Answer 7

carbon dioxide

Question 8

Why is carbon dioxide so important for both plants and animals?

Answer 8

Carbon dioxide operates as a controlling factor in gas exchange in both plants and animals.