What principle do chemoreceptors follow in the regulation of respiration?

Chemoreceptors play a critical role in the regulation of respiration by detecting changes in the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and, to a lesser extent, oxygen (O2). These receptors are primarily located in the carotid bodies and the medulla oblongata. When CO2 levels in the blood rise, it leads to an increase in carbonic acid, which decreases blood pH (making it more acidic). Chemoreceptors respond to this elevated CO2 and acidity by stimulating the respiratory centers in the brain to increase the rate and depth of breathing. This response helps to expel more CO2, thereby restoring normal levels.

While monitoring oxygen saturation and measuring lung capacity are important aspects of respiratory health, they are not the primary function of chemoreceptors in regulating the respiratory rate. Likewise, controlling the volume of air inhaled is more a result of muscular and neural mechanisms rather than solely the function of chemoreceptors. This is why the detection of CO2 levels is the most critical role of chemoreceptors in respiratory regulation.