Question

After taking a long deep breath we do not respire for some seconds due to (a) more \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) in blood (b) more \(0_{2}\) in blood (c) less \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) in blood (d) less 0, in blood.

Short answer

We do not respire for some seconds after taking a deep breath due to (c) less \text{CO}_2 in blood.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the process of respiration

Respiration is the process by which our body cells use oxygen to produce energy, with carbon dioxide as a waste product. When taking a deep breath, the lungs are filled with air, increasing the oxygen supply and eliminating more carbon dioxide.

Identify the role of carbon dioxide in respiratory drive

The respiratory center in the brain regulates the urge to breathe primarily based on the carbon dioxide level in the blood. High levels of carbon dioxide stimulate the urge to breathe, while lower levels decrease it.

Determine the cause of delayed respiration after a deep breath

Taking a deep breath removes more carbon dioxide from the blood than usual. As a result, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood temporarily drops. This decrease will reduce the urge to breathe for a short period.

Key concepts

Respiratory Physiology

Understanding the intricacies of respiratory physiology is crucial for comprehending how our bodies adjust to the constant demands of oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. The respiratory system consists of structures like the trachea, lungs, and diaphragm that work in unison to ensure air is inhaled and exhaled effectively.

During inhalation, oxygen is drawn into the lungs and transferred to the blood, where it is carried to tissues throughout the body. Conversely, carbon dioxide, a byproduct of cellular metabolism, diffuses from the blood into the lungs to be exhaled. The process is tightly regulated by the respiratory centers of the brain, which receive signals regarding the levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood, adjusting the breathing rate accordingly to maintain homeostasis.

The respiratory drive, or the impulse to breathe, is primarily stimulated by the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood rather than oxygen levels. This is because carbon dioxide is more soluble and its levels in the blood can change more rapidly than oxygen levels, thus primarily influencing the respiratory center's response.

Carbon Dioxide in Blood

The level of carbon dioxide in the blood is an essential factor in the control of respiration. Carbon dioxide is a product of the metabolic reactions within cells, and our bodies are finely tuned to maintain a balanced concentration in our bloodstream.

As the primary driver of the respiration process, carbon dioxide levels are closely monitored by chemoreceptors located in both the brain and cardiovascular system. These receptors are sensitive to changes in pH levels caused by shifts in carbon dioxide, since it readily dissolves in blood, forming carbonic acid and affecting acidity. An increase in carbon dioxide will lead to a reduction in blood pH, signaling the respiratory centers to increase breathing rate and depth. This reaction helps to rid the body of excess carbon dioxide and regulate the pH back to normal.

Contrarily, when we take a deep breath and hold it, we expel a larger amount of carbon dioxide, decreasing blood levels, which temporarily dulls the respiratory drive and allows us to go without breathing for a short period. This phenomenon is rooted in how our bodies detect and respond to the gas's concentration in our blood.

Respiration Process

The respiration process is a rhythmic cycle of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide, crucial for maintaining life.

During this process, air enters the respiratory tract, passes through the nasal passages, down the trachea, and into the lungs. In the lungs, oxygen is transferred to the blood via tiny air sacs called alveoli, while carbon dioxide from the blood is exhaled. This exchange is driven by differences in pressure and gas concentration gradients, known as the process of diffusion.

The cellular aspect of respiration involves the use of oxygen by cells to produce energy through the breakdown of glucose, known as cellular respiration. Carbon dioxide is an end product of this process and must be continuously removed from the body to prevent toxic buildup. The entire cycle of breathing in oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide is vital for cellular function, tissue health, and overall vitality of the organism.