Regulation of Respiration: Detailed Study

You must be knowing that the process of breathing combined with the transport of gases is called respiration. Respiration is of utmost importance for the survival of human beings. While respiration is involuntary but it can be voluntary at times. We can control the respiration process to meet the demands of our body tissues. For example, tissues need more oxygen after cellular respiration and we intake more oxygen. You must have noticed that while running, the breathing rate increases significantly.

After noticing the respiration process, it is understood that there must be a system responsible for controlling it. Regulation of respiration in our body is conducted by special points in the nervous system. Regulation of respiration is important for making sure we respire even when unconscious or sleeping. When the regulation of respiration is done via the nervous system, you don’t have to force the process. Read on to know more about the body system responsible for the regulation of respiration.

Respiratory centres in the brain

Our human mind is responsible for controlling many involuntary processes. The brain also assists us in doing several voluntary tasks. In the human brain, three centres control the breathing and respiration process. Located in the medulla and pons of the human brain, these centres work continuously to support the respiration process. From the contraction of the diaphragm to intercostal muscles, the respiratory centres stimulate the entire respiration process. The three respiratory centres in our brain are given below:

• Respiratory rhythm centre
• Pneumotaxic centre
• Apneustic centre

Let us know more about these respiratory centres in our brain.

Respiratory rhythm centre

Every inspiration is followed by expiration in human beings. When we intake environmental air, we must consume the oxygen and release the carbon dioxide back into the environment. Inspiration is continuously followed by expiration and this creates an oscillating cycle. The never-ending cycle of inspiration followed by expiration is termed respiratory rhythm. The respiratory rhythm centre is responsible for maintaining the respiratory rhythm (oscillating cycle of inspiration followed by expiration).

Located in the medulla of the human brain, the respiratory rhythm centre produces nerve impulses. The nerve impulses govern the contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles to support the process of inspiration. Also, during rapid breathing, the respiratory rhythm centre governs the movement of abdominal and intercostal muscles. The muscle movement that supports the inspiration and expiration process is continuously governed by the respiratory rhythm centre.

Pneumotaxic centre

If you state the regulation of respiration definition, you will have to discuss all three respiratory centres in the brain. The Pneumotaxic centre is located in the pons region of the brain and is responsible for governing the functions of the respiratory rhythm centre. The rate and the pattern of breathing in humans are governed by the pneumotaxic centre. If the rate of respiration has to be decreased, the pneumotaxic centre sends neural signals that curb the duration of inspiration. Such a type of neural signal from the pneumotaxic centre prevents our lungs from over-inflating.

The volume of air taken inside the respiratory tract and finally in the lungs is governed by the pneumotaxic centre. For every single breath, the pneumotaxic centre governs the amount of air inhaled. If we consider the pneumotaxic centre is absent then the depth of breathing will increase. Since the depth of breathing increases, the rate of breathing will decrease. Abnormal breathing rates can cause serious problems to the human body. Also, in the absence of the pneumotaxic centre, you may inhale more air than the total volume of lungs and alveoli. The Pneumotaxic centre is not only responsible for the regulation of respiration but also for preventing our lungs from over-inflating.

Apneustic centre

If you are discussing the regulation of respiration classification, you will have to state all three respiratory centres in the brain. The apneustic centre is located in the pons region of the human brain and supports the inspiration process. The apneustic centre constantly stimulates the neurons that oppose the action of the pneumotaxic centre. The intensity of breathing in humans is controlled by the signals sent to neurons by the apneustic centre.

Other factors for the regulation of respiration

Besides the three respiratory centres, several other factors are involved in the regulation of respiration. In our brain stem, there is a chemo sensitive area that is highly reactive to carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions. Located close to the respiratory rhythm centre, the chemo sensitive area activates itself when there is an increase in H+ and  CO₂ ions. As per its reaction, the respiratory rhythm centre controls breathing to eliminate the ions.There are many chemoreceptors located throughout the respiratory tract that are involved in the regulation of respiration. These receptors identify changes in the concentration of H+ and CO₂ ions. Whenever the chemoreceptors identify changes in hydrogen and carbon dioxide ions, the respiratory centres adjust the breathing accordingly.