Question

Explain the factors involved in changing the respiratory rate and depth from rest to exercise. What chemical, physiological, and physical factors are at play here? For credit, essay must be a minimum of 250 words.

Answer 1

Normal respiration is an autonomic effortless inspiratory expansive and expiratory contractive response. Normal breathing has constant rate, depth and rhythm of respiration.

The main function of respiration is exchange CO2 for O2 in lungs. Oxygen is required for energy production and exchange of CO2 to maintain the acid base balance of blood.

When an individual is doing exercise the oxygen demand is increased due to the increased activity done by muscles. The respiratory centers in the brain gets activated and the rate and depth of respiration increases to meet the extra requirement.

Also when the muscle is active it releases the metabolites such as CO2 and lactic acid which reduces the pH of the blood(makes it more acidic). In order to maintain the pH of blood in normal range the extra CO2 that is generated must be exhaled out of the body to prevent acidosis. When the rate and depth of inspiration increases, the alveoli are filled up with more air and more exchange of gases occurs.

The changes in the blood acidity are monitored by chemoreceptors. And the changes in respiration is done by Medulla oblongata. The respiratory center in brain.