Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Chemical Factors Affecting Respiration Centers01:31

Chemical Factors Affecting Respiration Centers

Chemical factors such as changing CO2, O2, and H+ levels in arterial blood play a critical role in influencing respiration depth and rates. These variations are detected by chemoreceptors—specialized sensors located in two primary body areas. Central chemoreceptors are found throughout the brain stem, including the ventrolateral medulla, while peripheral chemoreceptors are located in the aortic arch and carotid arteries.
CO2 has a potent influence on respiration and is strictly regulated. Under...
Physiological Control of Respiration01:23

Physiological Control of Respiration

Introduction
Breathing, a seemingly passive process, is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem. This center coordinates the involuntary control of respirations, which means it occurs without conscious effort, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted pattern.
Regulation of Ventilation
The body maintains ventilation by monitoring levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the arterial blood. Among these factors, the level of CO2 plays a crucial...
Physiology of Respiration II: Neurogenic Control of Respiration01:22

Physiology of Respiration II: Neurogenic Control of Respiration

The neurogenic control of respiration coordinates various neural networks and pathways to regulate breathing rate and depth, meeting the body's oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange requirements. This system adapts to physiological and environmental conditions, ensuring optimal breathing patterns.
Central Control
The brainstem is the primary site of central control, hosting respiratory centers:
Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion01:17

Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion

Understanding and evaluating diffusion and perfusion is critical in assessing a patient's respiratory and circulatory health. These processes play key roles in maintaining the body's internal environment, ensuring that tissues receive adequate oxygen while waste products are efficiently removed.
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this principle...
Respiratory Regulation of Acid-Base Balance01:18

Respiratory Regulation of Acid-Base Balance

Respiratory compensation is a vital physiological process that stabilizes blood plasma pH by regulating the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), a key determinant of pH levels. Most carbon dioxide in the blood dissolves and converts into carbonic acid (H2CO3). It dissociates into hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3⁻). There is also an inverse relationship between PCO2​​ and pH.
When carbon dioxide levels increase in the blood, more H+ and HCO3⁻ are produced, leading to a...
Carbon Dioxide Transport in the Blood01:19

Carbon Dioxide Transport in the Blood

Carbon dioxide (CO2) transport in the blood is critical to human physiology. On average, our body cells produce around 200 mL of CO2 per minute, precisely the quantity expelled by the lungs. This process involves the transportation of CO2 from the tissue cells to the lungs in three primary forms.
Forms of CO2 Transport
1. Dissolved in plasma: A small percentage (7-10%) of CO2 is transported and dissolved directly in the plasma.
2. Carbaminohemoglobin: Just over 20% of CO2 is chemically bound to...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The Role of Ca<sup>2+</sup> and BK Channels of Locus Coeruleus (LC) Neurons as a Brake to the CO<sub>2</sub> Chemosensitivity Response of Rats.

Neuroscience·2018
Same author

Theoretical perspectives on central chemosensitivity: CO2/H+-sensitive neurons in the locus coeruleus.

PLoS computational biology·2017
Same author

Ventilatory and chemoreceptor responses to hypercapnia in neonatal rats chronically exposed to moderate hyperoxia.

Respiratory physiology & neurobiology·2016
Same author

Microglial Acid Sensing Regulates Carbon Dioxide-Evoked Fear.

Biological psychiatry·2016
Same author

A HCO(3)(-)-dependent mechanism involving soluble adenylyl cyclase for the activation of Ca²⁺ currents in locus coeruleus neurons.

Biochimica et biophysica acta·2014
Same author

Substance P differentially modulates firing rate of solitary complex (SC) neurons from control and chronic hypoxia-adapted adult rats.

PloS one·2014

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department
07:52

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department

Published on: January 29, 2011

CO2 chemoreception in cardiorespiratory control.

Robert W Putnam1

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435, USA. robert.putnam@wright.edu

Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|January 23, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Brain stem neurons respond to changes in CO2 and H+ via pH-regulating transporters and ion channels. Understanding these central chemosensitive pathways offers new therapeutic targets.

More Related Videos

MRI Mapping of Cerebrovascular Reactivity via Gas Inhalation Challenges
09:33

MRI Mapping of Cerebrovascular Reactivity via Gas Inhalation Challenges

Published on: December 17, 2014

The c-FOS Protein Immunohistological Detection: A Useful Tool As a Marker of Central Pathways Involved in Specific Physiological Responses In Vivo and Ex Vivo
05:44

The c-FOS Protein Immunohistological Detection: A Useful Tool As a Marker of Central Pathways Involved in Specific Physiological Responses In Vivo and Ex Vivo

Published on: April 25, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department
07:52

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department

Published on: January 29, 2011

MRI Mapping of Cerebrovascular Reactivity via Gas Inhalation Challenges
09:33

MRI Mapping of Cerebrovascular Reactivity via Gas Inhalation Challenges

Published on: December 17, 2014

The c-FOS Protein Immunohistological Detection: A Useful Tool As a Marker of Central Pathways Involved in Specific Physiological Responses In Vivo and Ex Vivo
05:44

The c-FOS Protein Immunohistological Detection: A Useful Tool As a Marker of Central Pathways Involved in Specific Physiological Responses In Vivo and Ex Vivo

Published on: April 25, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Physiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Brain stem neurons are crucial for sensing changes in CO2 and H+ levels.
  • Intracellular pH (pHi) regulation is vital for neuronal function, especially under acidic conditions.
  • Chemosensitive neurons possess specific pH-regulating transporters, including Na+/H+ exchangers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate cellular signals and ion channel targets in brain stem chemosensitive neurons.
  • To understand the mechanisms underlying neuronal responses to altered CO2/H+.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for modulating central chemosensitivity.

Main Methods:

  • Electrophysiological studies on chemosensitive neurons.
  • Investigation of intracellular and extracellular pH dynamics.
  • Analysis of neuronal firing rate in response to pH changes.

Main Results:

  • Intracellular pH (pHi) recovery fails when extracellular pH (pHo) is acidic.
  • Neuronal firing rate increases with decreased pHi or pHo, but not CO2 alone.
  • Specific ion channels, particularly K+ channels, are inhibited by reduced pH.

Conclusions:

  • Chemosensitive neurons exhibit complex signaling involving multiple transporters and ion channels.
  • The response to pH changes varies across different brain stem regions.
  • Further research is needed to fully map chemosensitive signaling pathways for therapeutic applications.