Hypercapnia and hypoxemia trigger different sensory responses in the brain.
- Hypercapnia is the state of increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood
- Hypoxemia is characterized by low oxygen levels in the blood
Sensory neurons specialized for detecting CO2 and O2 levels play key roles.
- Specialized central chemoreceptors in the brainstem detect changes in CO2 levels
- Peripheral chemoreceptors in arteries and the medulla sense O2 levels
Brain responses to hypercapnia involve activation of the respiratory centers.
- High CO2 levels stimulate the respiratory centers in the medulla oblongata
- This leads to increased ventilation to expel excess CO2 and restore normal levels
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