Robert C. answered • 06/27/16
Tutor
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Tenured Professor- Cardiopulmonary Care and Health Sciences
In mammals, the major stimulus to breathe is the level of CO2 in the arterial blood. For instance- Normal value in humans is 35-45 mm Hg.
If the values of CO2 INCREASE the mammal will attempt to eliminate the excess by either INCREASING respiratory rate and/or the volume of air inhaled. THIS CAN RESULT IN HYPOVENTILATION.
Now think what would happen if the opposite of what I described above happened:HYPERVENTILATION.
Hyperventilation, which causes CO2 levels to DECREASE, will cause the mammal to try to breath slower and/or DECREASE its inhaled volume. Doing this will cause the CO2 levels to INCREASE.
Why!? Because the mammal is trying to maintain normal values of CO2 in its blood.
SUMMARY:
HYPERVENTILATION IS THE RESULT OF BREATHING TO FAST AND/OR TO DEEPLY- IT EFFECTS CO2 LEVELS- CO2 LEVELS DERERMINE THE WAY WE BREATHE
Question for you! Do you think oxygen also plays a role? Why?
