Abstract
The characteristics of steady-state responses of single afferent fibers of carotid chemoreceptors to independent changes in arterial P O 2 , and P CO 2 ; were investigated in cats. The arterial blood pressure was maintained within the normal limits (115–130 torr). Single chemoreceptor afferent fibers responded to changes both in arterial P O 2 and P CO 2 . The relationship between the activity of chemoreceptors and changes in arterial P CO 2 was linear at a constant arterial P CO 2 . The two stimuli showed multiplicative interaction. The activity approached zero (threshold) as arterial P CO 2 was decreased at a constant arterial P CO 2 a decrease in arterial pq, decreased the arterial Pco, threshold. These response characteristics of a single fiber suggest that the sensory receptor may be activated through a single mechanism by the two stimuli. The data fit into an idea that the mechanism may involve a conformational change in the membrane-bound polymeric chromophore group which reacts with O 2 reversibly and shows a Bohr-shift.
Published Version
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