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Role of CO2, Detected by chemoreceptors - Coggle Diagram
Role of CO2
Respiratory drive
Central chemoreceptors in medulla respond to CO₂ and pH
The body monitors CO₂ levels through sensors
If CO₂ is too high, breathing increases to get rid of it
CO₂ helps regulate how fast and deep we breathe.
Chemoreceptors
Detect CO₂ levels to regulate breathing.
Metabolism
Produced as a byproduct of cellular respiration
Chemical equation: C6H12O6 + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O
Blood pH Regulation
CO₂ helps control the acidity or alkalinity of blood
It's part of a chemical system (bicarbonate buffer) that keeps your blood pH stable
Too much CO₂ → blood becomes acidic (acidosis)
Less CO₂ → blood becomes too basic (alkalosis).
Tital function to keep body’s chemistry balanced
Generated in cells and removed by lungs
Gas transport and exchange
Transported in blood
80–90% as bicarbonate
5–10% dissolved in plasma
5–10% bound to hemoglobin
Lungs
CO₂ moves through the bloodstream to the lungs and is exhaled
Tissue
CO₂ diffuses from tissues to blood
Supports both removal of waste (CO₂) and delivery of oxygen.
Haemoglobin affinity
CO₂ affects how hemoglobin (in red blood cells) carries oxygen.
It helps release oxygen where the body needs it most (active tissues).
Bohr effect
High CO₂ lowers hemoglobin's affinity for O₂.
Haldane Effect
High O₂ increases CO₂ release
Detected by chemoreceptors
Central and peripheral
Central
Responsive to changes in pCO2 and pH.
Located near the ventrolateral surfaces of the medulla
Peripheral
Located
in the carotid and aortic bodies
Sensitive to changes in O2 and CO2