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