Homeostasis: Control of

Breathing

 In the body, cells obtain their energy by

combining oxygen with various nutrients,
producing carbon dioxide as a waste
product. Thus, they need a constant
supply of oxygen and also need to have
the carbon dioxide removed. This is
accomplished by breathing, also known as
respiration or ventilation, terms used by
physiologists to mean the inhaling and
exhaling of air.

Regulation
The regulation of breathing is the result of
a complex interaction involving a system
of sensors, a respiratory control centre,
and an effector system to carry out its
commands to the muscles and organs
involved in breathing.

 Control of our breathing is largely

automatic we only consciously control
our breathing when we take deep breaths,
speaking or holding our breath.

Receptors
Central chemoreceptors. The central
chemoreceptors are located in Medulla and
pons of brain. They respond to the acidityor
pHof the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid
that bathes the brain and spinal cord. The acidity
of any fluid is measured by the pH; this value is
related to the number of hydrogen ions present
in the fluid (this increases as CO2 builds up in
the blood).Thus, when the acidity of the CSF
changes, the messages sent by the central
chemoreceptors to the respiratory control centre
then have an effect on breathing.

Receptors
Peripheral arterial chemoreceptors. There are two
types of peripheral chemoreceptors: the carotid bodies
and the aortic bodies. They are small pieces of tissue
containing chemoreceptors that respond to the amounts
of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood. The
carotid bodies are located where the common carotid
artery divides into the two carotid arteries on both sides
of the neck. The aortic bodies are located on the aorta,
the body's largest blood vessel, which starts from the
heart. The information from the carotid bodies is carried
along the ninth cranial nerve and the information from
the aortic body is passed along the tenth cranial nerve to
the respiratory control centre.

Receptors
Brain. Breathing can also be voluntary, that is
influenced by other parts of the brain, especially
the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain where
thought processes reside and are responsible
for willful action. We can all consciously breathe
more deeply and more rapidly (hyperventilation),
as for example, before starting heavy exercise.
Strong emotions can also result in
hyperventilation (effects of adrenalin)

Receptors
Lung. There are various receptors located
in the lung that can also affect breathing.
For example, a type of receptor in the
bronchi respond to irritating inhaled
substances and cause coughing, breath
holding, and sneezing. Other receptors
located in the flexible tissues of the lung
and the chest wall are sensitive to stretch.

Respiratory Centre
Voluntary control of breathing is controlled by the
upper part of the brain (cerebral cortex)
Involuntary breathing is controlled by the
Respiratory centre. This is in the Pons and
Medulla of the brain.
When messages are received from the
receptors the respiratory centre triggers changes
in breathing rate by sending nervous messages.

Effectors- Nervous control

Breathing is partly controlled by the
Autonomic nervous system and is mainly
involuntary.
The sympathetic and Parasympathetic
nerve pathways are divisions of the
Autonomic nervous system.
These nerve pathways run between the
respiratory centre in the brain via the
Vagus nerve.

 Sympathetic causes bronchial muscle in

the lungs to relax speeding up breathingin control when active
Parasympathetic In control when at rest

The Autonomic nervous system

overview

Effectors-Nervous control
Breathing rate is also controlled by impulses sent
to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles by the
phrenic and thoracic nerves.
The nerves send messages to cause the
intercostal muscles and diaphragm to contract
and inspiration (breathing in to occur).
When the lungs are full and chest expanded
Stretch receptors will send messages back to the
respiratory centre which in turn sends further
messages back to the muscles to cause
relaxation and exhalation (breathing out)