Question

Write a note on nervous regulation of respiration.

Answer 1

Respiration can be regulated by two mechanism, namely nervous mechanism and chemical mechanism. Nervous regulation of respiration includes respiratory centers present in the medulla oblongata. It detects the level of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood and sends the required signals by the respiratory muscles. Respiratory centers are further divided into two groups, namely medullary centers and pontine centers. Medullary centers have inspiratory centers and expiratory centers. The inspiratory center is concerned with the inspiration when the quiet breathing is going on and the expiratory center is concerned only during forced breathing. The pontine center have pneumotaxic center and apneustic center. These are located in the pons. The pneumotaxic center controls the activity of respiratory centers and apneustic center acts on the inspiratory centers and increases the depth of inspiration.