Questions Respiratory System Related

Review Questions Respiratory System related questions and content

The primary chemical stimulus for breathing is the concentration of

  • A. carbon monoxide in the blood
  • B. carbon dioxide in the blood
  • C. oxygen in the blood
  • D. carbonic acid in the blood
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: carbon dioxide in the blood. In the body, carbon dioxide levels are monitored by chemoreceptors in the brainstem. When carbon dioxide levels rise, it triggers an increase in breathing rate to expel excess carbon dioxide and restore the balance of gases in the blood. This process is known as the respiratory drive. Carbon monoxide (A) is a toxic gas that interferes with oxygen transport but does not directly affect breathing stimulus. Oxygen (C) levels in the blood are important for maintaining tissue oxygenation but do not directly regulate breathing. Carbonic acid (D) is a product of carbon dioxide and water, and its levels do not directly stimulate breathing.