The Rate of Respiration is Mainly Determined by _______ in the Blood

Question

The rate of respiration is mainly determined by _______ in the blood.
A) oxygen concentration
B) carbon dioxide concentration
C) hydrogen ion concentration
D) hemoglobin concentration

Accepted Answer

The rate of respiration is primarily determined by the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood. When carbon dioxide levels increase, it causes an increase in the acidity (pH) of the blood, which triggers the respiratory system to increase its rate of breathing to expel the excess carbon dioxide and restore balance to the pH of the blood. Oxygen concentration, hydrogen ion concentration, and hemoglobin concentration can also play a role in respiration, but they are not the primary determinants of respiratory rate.