Chemoreceptor Reflexes
What do chemoreceptors signal?
Cardiovascular and respiratory centers in the medulla oblongata
Autonomic Nervous System
Controls sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation.
Where are chemoreceptors located?
In the aortic and carotid sinuses
What are some other neural mechanisms that impact cardiovascular function?
Limbic system
What happens to hydrogen ion levels and blood pH during rest?
More hydrogen ions are bound, causing blood pH to rise
What happens to hydrogen ion levels and blood pH during physical activity?
More hydrogen ions are produced, causing blood pH to drop
What happens to oxygen and carbon dioxide levels during rest?
Oxygen levels are higher, carbon dioxide levels are lower
What happens to oxygen and carbon dioxide levels during physical activity?
Oxygen levels fall, carbon dioxide levels rise
What are chemoreceptors?
Receptors that monitor oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels
How do chemoreceptors respond to increasing carbon dioxide and hydrogen ion levels?
Stimulate cardioaccelerator and vasomotor centers, increase cardiac output, constrict peripheral vessels
How do chemoreceptors respond to falling carbon dioxide and hydrogen ion levels?
Stimulate cardioinhibitor centers, suppress cardioaccelerator and vasomotor centers, decrease cardiac output, cause peripheral vasodilation
Psychophysiology
Study of physiological responses to psychological stimuli.
What happens to the cardioinhibitor centers when carbon dioxide and hydrogen ion levels decrease?
They are stimulated
What happens to the cardioinhibitor centers when carbon dioxide and hydrogen ion levels increase?
They are suppressed
What is the interrelationship between cardiovascular and respiratory control?
They work together to meet metabolic demands
Why is it essential for the respiratory system to respond to changing metabolic demands?
To maintain adequate oxygen supply and remove waste products
