Asked by Courtney Gartner on Jul 13, 2024
Verified
After hyperventilating for several minutes, a person may develop short periods of apnea because
A) blood pH would drop and inhibit inspiration.
B) oxygen in the lungs has not had time to diffuse into the blood.
C) the level of oxygen has increased and inhibits the inspiratory center.
D) the level of CO2 decreases below the level necessary to stimulate the inspiratory center.
E) blood pH will rise and stimulate expiration.
Hyperventilating
Excessive and fast breathing that can lead to a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood, often triggered by stress or panic.
Apnea
Apnea is a temporary cessation of breathing, especially during sleep, which can be a sign of a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.
Inspiratory Center
A region in the brainstem involved in the regulation of inspiration, or the intake of air into the lungs.
- Comprehend the biochemical reactions responsible for gas exchange within the lungs.
- Outline the body's physiological reactions to alterations in carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
Verified Answer
MP
meryam pachirJul 18, 2024
Final Answer :
D
Explanation :
Hyperventilation causes a person to exhale CO2 at a faster rate than it is produced, leading to a decrease in blood CO2 levels. This decrease in CO2 (referred to in the question as "CO2" due to a formatting error, but understood to mean CO2) reduces the stimulation of the brain's respiratory centers, specifically the inspiratory center, potentially causing periods of apnea.
Learning Objectives
- Comprehend the biochemical reactions responsible for gas exchange within the lungs.
- Outline the body's physiological reactions to alterations in carbon dioxide levels in the blood.