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The Respiratory System

Control of breathing during exercise

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

The respiratory control centre, extra muscles of inspiration and active expiration, carbon dioxide as the main stimulus, proprioceptors, baroreceptors and stretch receptors, and recovery.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Which part of the brain controls breathing?

Key term

How is breathing controlled at rest?

Key term

Which extra muscles assist inspiration during exercise?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Which part of the brain controls breathing?

    Model answer

    The respiratory control centre (RCC) in the medulla oblongata controls breathing. The RCC contains an inspiratory centre and an expiratory centre.

  2. 2

    How is breathing controlled at rest?

    Model answer

    The inspiratory centre sends impulses down the phrenic and intercostal nerves. The diaphragm and external intercostals contract, and expiration happens passively as they relax.

  3. 3

    Which extra muscles assist inspiration during exercise?

    Model answer

    The sternocleidomastoid, scalenes and pectoralis minor assist inspiration during exercise. The ribcage lifts further, so more air is drawn in.

  4. 4

    Why does expiration become active during exercise?

    Model answer

    Faster breathing needs air forced out quickly. The internal intercostals and abdominal muscles contract to pull the ribcage down and in.

  5. 5

    How does the sympathetic nervous system affect breathing during exercise?

    Model answer

    Sympathetic stimulation increases the rate and depth of breathing. Sympathetic stimulation also dilates the bronchioles, easing airflow.

  6. 6

    How does a rise in blood carbon dioxide change breathing?

    Model answer

    Chemoreceptors detect the rise in carbon dioxide and fall in pH. The inspiratory centre then increases the rate and depth of breathing to remove the excess.

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