Abstract
The respiratory centre situated in the medulla oblongata is responsible for regulating the rate and depth of respiration. Many factors influence the respiratory centre including impulses that are transmitted via the chemoreceptors. Green (1977) states that chemoreceptors are nerve endings found in the carotid and aortic bodies that are sensitive to changes in arterial oxygen tension. Chemoreceptors are stimulated by: (a) A fall in oxygen tension (hypoxia) (b) A rise in carbon dioxide tension (hypercapnia) and hypoxia. Stimulation of the chemoreceptors results in: Impulses being sent to the respiratory centre in the medulla oblongata to increase the rate and depth of respiration. Stimulation of the vaso-motor centre resulting in an increase in blood pressure. Depression of the cardiac accelerator centre resulting in a drop in heart rate. However, an increased respiratory rate stimulates the cardiac accelerator centre which results in an increased heart rate. (Fig. 1).
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