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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...
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:
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...
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...
Neural Control of Respiration01:18

Neural Control of Respiration

The neural regulation of respiration is a meticulously coordinated process primarily controlled by the respiratory centers located within the brainstem. These centers, composed of specialized neurons, transmit nerve impulses that control the contraction and relaxation of our respiratory muscles.
Respiratory Centers in the Brainstem
Two primary areas comprise the respiratory center: the medullary respiratory center in the medulla oblongata and the pontine respiratory group in the pons. The...
Physiology of Respiration I: Functions of the Respiratory System01:27

Physiology of Respiration I: Functions of the Respiratory System

The respiratory system is crucial for exchanging oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) between the atmosphere and the bloodstream, maintaining the body's balance. Beyond gas exchange, it helps regulate acid-base balance, purify inhaled air, and enable vocalization.
Fundamental Processes in Respiration:

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Electrophysiology on Isolated Brainstem-spinal Cord Preparations from Newborn Rodents Allows Neural Respiratory Network Output Recording
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Respiratory chemoreceptor function in vertebrates comparative and evolutionary aspects.

Lena Sundin1, Mark L Burleson, Adriana P Sanchez

  • 1*Department of Zoophysiology, Göteborg University, Box 463, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden; Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, PO Box 305220, Denton, TX 76203-5220, USA; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3.900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics, Laval University, Chairholder of the Canada Research chair in Respiratory Neurobiology, Canada; Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, São Paulo State University - FCAV at Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil; Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Wright State University, Boonshoft School of Medicine, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, Ohio, 45435, USA; Institute of Physiology, University Duisburg-Essen Hufelandstr, Germany; **Department of Physiology, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.

Integrative and Comparative Biology
|June 16, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Respiratory chemoreceptors evolved from oxygen sensing in fish to carbon dioxide/pH sensing in land vertebrates. This comparative physiology reveals ancient origins of respiratory control and impacts human cardiorespiratory diseases.

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Area of Science:

  • Comparative physiology and evolutionary biology of respiratory control.
  • Neuroscience and molecular mechanisms of chemoreception.

Background:

  • Blood gas tension and pH sensing is a conserved homeostatic mechanism across species.
  • Vertebrate respiratory control evolved from peripheral oxygen (O2) sensing in fish to central carbon dioxide (CO2)/pH sensing in tetrapods.
  • The transition to air-breathing necessitated a greater emphasis on acid-base regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current trends in vertebrate chemoreceptor function, from fish to humans.
  • To examine the evolution of O2 and CO2 sensing mechanisms in respiratory control.
  • To explore the impact of chronic hypoxia on respiratory function and its relevance to disease.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on respiratory chemoreceptor function in various vertebrate species.
  • Analysis of comparative physiological data across diverse vertebrate groups.
  • Inclusion of new data on nonmammalian vertebrates to highlight evolutionary origins.

Main Results:

  • South American lungfish and tetrapods share similar respiratory control features, suggesting a sister group relationship.
  • Central CO2/pH receptors dominate ventilatory responses (60-80%) in both lungfish and tetrapods, with peripheral receptors contributing 20-30%.
  • Fundamental components of respiratory control have remained conserved throughout vertebrate evolution.

Conclusions:

  • Chemoreceptor sites involved in respiratory control are of ancient origin, predating the divergence of major vertebrate groups.
  • Comparative physiology provides insights into the evolution of respiratory functions and human cardiorespiratory diseases.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for both evolutionary biology and clinical applications in respiratory and cardiovascular health.