Chemoreceptors detect changes in which parameters?

Chemoreceptors detect changes in which parameters?

• A. Detect sound waves
• B. Detect changes in magnetic fields
• C. Detect pH alone
• D. Changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide levels

Answer: (D)

Chemoreceptors sense chemical changes in body fluids, and in the control of breathing they monitor the gases and related pH that reflect that chemistry. Peripheral chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies detect shifts in arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide (and the pH those gases influence), signaling the brain to adjust breathing rate and depth. Central chemoreceptors in the brainstem mainly respond to the pH of cerebrospinal fluid, which in turn tracks carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Because the key parameters these sensors track are the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, this option best fits the role of chemoreceptors. Sound waves are detected by auditory receptors, and magnetic fields by specialized receptors not typically involved in human respiration; while pH changes occur, the primary chemical inputs from the respiratory chemoreceptors are O2 and CO2 levels.

Chemoreceptors sense chemical changes in body fluids, and in the control of breathing they monitor the gases and related pH that reflect that chemistry. Peripheral chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies detect shifts in arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide (and the pH those gases influence), signaling the brain to adjust breathing rate and depth. Central chemoreceptors in the brainstem mainly respond to the pH of cerebrospinal fluid, which in turn tracks carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Because the key parameters these sensors track are the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, this option best fits the role of chemoreceptors. Sound waves are detected by auditory receptors, and magnetic fields by specialized receptors not typically involved in human respiration; while pH changes occur, the primary chemical inputs from the respiratory chemoreceptors are O2 and CO2 levels.