The brain detects high CO2 levels in the blood through specialized chemoreceptors called central chemoreceptors, located in the medulla oblongata. These receptors are sensitive to changes in the pH of the cerebrospinal fluid caused by high levels of CO2, triggering an increase in ventilation to remove excess CO2 from the body.
Chemoreceptors play a crucial role in regulating breathing by detecting changes in the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and pH in the blood. Peripheral chemoreceptors, located in the carotid and aortic bodies, primarily respond to low oxygen levels, while central chemoreceptors in the brainstem are sensitive to elevated CO2 and decreased pH. When CO2 levels rise, or O2 levels drop, these chemoreceptors send signals to the respiratory centers in the brain to increase the rate and depth of breathing, thereby restoring homeostasis. This feedback mechanism ensures that the body maintains adequate oxygen supply and effectively removes carbon dioxide.
In a normal person the respiratory drive is controlled by the central chemoreceptors in the hypothalmous. These receptors are sensitive to changes in pH. CO2 effects pH by the hasselbach equation: H+HCO3 = CO2+H2O So basically the more CO2 your body has on bord the lower the pH is and the more stimmulation there is to the central chemoreceptors causing a desire to breath and blow off that CO2. In emphasima patients their Co2 is so chronically high their respiration is driven by their peripheral chemoreceptors that are sensitve to O2 levels in the blood not pH. This is why one needs to be very careful when giving oxygen to emphasima patients. If the O2 level of their blood is too high there would be no stimulation to breath and they could stop breathing.
pH. When CO2 (carbon dioxide) builds-up in the blood, in forms an acid compound with water called "carbonic acid." CO2 + H2O H2CO3
CO2 dissolves in blood to form carbonic acid; therefore its effects are mainly through changing the pH of the blood. Chemoreceptors in the brain detect this lowered pH and cause a very strong, irresistible desire to breathe - which exchanges the CO2 for oxygen. If this mechanism fails, the lowered pH causes muscle twitches and jerks, as well as seizures, coma and death.
For most normal individuals the hypothalmus is is the origin of central chemoreceptors. These chemoreceptors are very sinsitive to elevation or drops in pH (or amount of free Hydrogen Ion in the blood). The equation: H + HCO2 = H2O + CO2 Shows how CO2 in the bloodstreem effects the amount of free H ion in the blood; in other word the more CO2 in the blood the more acidic it is and has a lower pH. The lower the pH of the blood is the more stimulation is given to the central chemoreceptors in the hypothalmus thus stimulating the phrenic nerve among others to raise the respiratory rate and blow off the excess CO2. This process is very different for individuals who are suffering from chronic CO2 retention (Like in COPD). These indeviduals can not use the central chemoreceptors due to the excessive CO2 in the blood is a norm for them! These individuals must now depend on their peripheral chemoreceptor located through out their body. These peripheral chemoreceptors are sensitive to O2 levels in the blood, and are sitmulated by a drop in O2 concentration. This is why it could be dangerous to give excessive supplimental oxygen to a person with COPD. If there is no drop in O2 levels (because your giving them O2) in their blood what stimulates them to breath? Nothing !!!!! Scary huh? Dont smoke!!!
Chemoreceptors play a crucial role in regulating breathing by detecting changes in the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and pH in the blood. Central chemoreceptors, located in the brainstem, primarily respond to rising CO2 levels, which signal the body to increase the rate and depth of breathing. Peripheral chemoreceptors, found in the carotid and aortic bodies, monitor O2 levels and also contribute to the respiratory response. Together, these chemoreceptors help maintain homeostasis by ensuring adequate oxygen supply and efficient removal of carbon dioxide.
The part of the brain that detects CO2 levels in the blood is primarily the medulla oblongata, specifically within the respiratory centers. These centers monitor the pH of the cerebrospinal fluid, which changes in response to CO2 levels. Elevated CO2 leads to a decrease in pH, signaling the brain to increase the rate and depth of breathing to restore balance. Additionally, the peripheral chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies also play a role in detecting changes in blood CO2 levels.
I will illistrate my answers with an example: When an individual exercises, the concentration of CO2 in the blood increases, this lowers the pH, making it more acidic. Chemoreceptors in the carotid arteries and aorta detect this decrease in pH. Nerve impulses are sent to the centre of the Medulla Oblongata that increases heart rate. Nerve impulses are then sent via the sympathetic nervous system to the sinoatrial node, this increases the heart rate. Therefore this increases the blood flow to the lungs, CO2 can therefore be removed from the blood by the alveoli in the lungs.
Chemoreceptors in the internal carotid artery, and so you hyperventilate to lower the pH
The relationship between CO2 levels and pH in the environment is that as CO2 levels increase, the pH of the environment decreases. This is because CO2 dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of the water.
The main stimulus for breathing is the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. As CO2 levels rise, it leads to an increase in acidity (lower pH), which is detected by chemoreceptors in the brain and blood vessels. This triggers the respiratory center in the brain to increase the rate and depth of breathing to expel excess CO2 and restore normal levels. While oxygen levels also play a role, they are secondary to the regulation of CO2.