Controlling Ventilation Rate
Applied Science: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, topic 4.6.4
Controlling Ventilation Rate
Ventilation rate is controlled by the ventilation centre in the medulla oblongata.
Changes to ventilation rate
- An increase in ventilation rate can speed up the delivery of oxygen to respiring tissues and the removal of waste products.
- Increasing the rate would be necessary during exercise, where tissues are respiring more rapidly. Rate is controlled by the ventilation centre in the medulla oblongata.
Central chemoreceptors
- Chemoreceptors on the medulla detect changes in pH of blood. -Carbon dioxide is produced during respiration, and it is acidic.
- When central chemoreceptors detect an increase in acidity (so a decrease in pH), this signals to increase ventilation rate.
Peripheral chemoreceptors
- Peripheral chemoreceptors are located in the arteries.
- They detect changes in chemical composition of the blood, including carbon dioxide levels, and signal accordingly for ventilation rate to speed up or slow down.
Test yourself on Controlling Ventilation Rate
What compound is responsible for an increase in acidity in the blood?
How is ventilation rate controlled?