Factors affecting breathing

Question 1

Central chemoreceptors

Answer 1

-located in ventral portion of medulla oblongata
- senses the changes in CO2 and H in blood
- if CO2 and H rise, central chemoreceptors signal respiratory center to increase respiration

Question 2

Peripheral chemoreceptors

Answer 2

• located in corotid arteries (in neck) and aorta
• senses changes in O2 in blood
• O2 level must be very low to trigger impulses to respiratory centre and increase breathing rate
• Therefore O2 plays minor role in respiration