Respiratory System Questions and Answers PDF Related

Review Respiratory System Questions and Answers PDF related questions and content

Regarding control of ventilation

  • A. The apneustic centre lies in the medulla
  • B. The central chemoreceptors respond to changes in oxygen concentrations
  • C. The chemoreceptors in the aortic bodies respond to a fall in arterial pH
  • D. Peripheral chemoreceptors respond to decreases in arterial pO2
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Peripheral chemoreceptors respond to decreases in arterial pO2. These chemoreceptors located in the carotid bodies and aortic bodies detect changes in arterial pO2 levels, triggering an increase in ventilation to compensate for low oxygen levels. The apneustic center (A) is located in the pons, not the medulla. Central chemoreceptors (B) primarily respond to changes in arterial CO2 levels, not oxygen concentrations. The chemoreceptors in the aortic bodies (C) primarily respond to changes in arterial pCO2, not pH. Overall, choice D is correct due to the specific role of peripheral chemoreceptors in detecting decreases in arterial pO2 levels and regulating ventilation accordingly.