AQA · A-Level · Physical Education
Course version: 7582 · Version from Sept 2016
Respiratory system: Chemoreceptor, proprioceptor, baroreceptor.
These three receptor types regulate pulmonary ventilation during physical activity.
Checked against the AQA 7582 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 14 of 17
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
These three receptor types regulate pulmonary ventilation during physical activity. Chemoreceptors detect chemical change: rising carbon dioxide concentration, falling pH and falling oxygen concentration in blood or cerebrospinal fluid, and signal the respiratory centres to increase ventilation. Proprioceptors in muscles, tendons and joints detect movement and limb position, so ventilation increases at the onset of exercise. Baroreceptors in blood vessel walls detect changes in blood pressure and contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular adjustment. Each receptor has a distinct location and stimulus, and together they allow ventilation to match the oxygen demand and carbon dioxide production of working muscles.
What earns the marks
- Chemoreceptors detect rising carbon dioxide concentration, falling pH and falling oxygen concentration in blood or cerebrospinal fluid.
- Proprioceptors in muscles, tendons and joints detect movement and limb position and raise ventilation at the onset of exercise.
- Baroreceptors in blood vessel walls detect changes in blood pressure and contribute to regulation of ventilation.
- Receptor input is integrated by the respiratory centres, which adjust the rate and depth of pulmonary ventilation during physical activity.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the three receptors as interchangeable.
Put it right: Each has a different location and stimulus, so match chemoreceptors to chemistry, proprioceptors to movement and baroreceptors to blood pressure.
Saying chemoreceptors detect only oxygen.
Put it right: Rising carbon dioxide concentration and falling pH are also key stimuli.
Placing proprioceptors in the brain.
Put it right: They are found in muscles, tendons and joints.
Placing baroreceptors in the airways.
Put it right: They are found in blood vessel walls.
Exam tips
- For each receptor, state its location, its stimulus and its effect on ventilation.
- Use the exact terms carbon dioxide concentration, pH, blood pressure, movement and limb position.
- Eliminate options that give a receptor the wrong location or the wrong stimulus.
Try the lesson
The start of the Respiratory system: Chemoreceptor, proprioceptor, baroreceptor. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which type of receptor detects a rise in the carbon dioxide concentration of the blood during exercise?
Listen
These three receptor types regulate pulmonary ventilation during physical activity. Chemoreceptors detect chemical change: rising carbon dioxide concentration, falling pH and falling oxygen concentration in blood or cerebrospinal fluid, and signal the respiratory centres to increase ventilation. Proprioceptors in muscles, tendons and joints detect movement and limb position, so ventilation increases at the onset of exercise. Baroreceptors in blood vessel walls detect changes in blood pressure and contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular adjustment. Each receptor has a distinct location and stimulus, and together they allow ventilation to match the oxygen demand and carbon dioxide production of working muscles. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Chemoreceptors detect rising carbon dioxide concentration, falling pH and falling oxygen concentration in blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Proprioceptors in muscles, tendons and joints detect movement and limb position and raise ventilation at the onset of exercise. Baroreceptors in blood vessel walls detect changes in blood pressure and contribute to regulation of ventilation. Receptor input is integrated by the respiratory centres, which adjust the rate and depth of pulmonary ventilation during physical activity. Exam tip: For each receptor, state its location, its stimulus and its effect on ventilation.
See it
Key words
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Chemoreceptor
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Proprioceptor
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Baroreceptor
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Integration by the respiratory centres
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See every definition
- Chemoreceptor
- Detects rising carbon dioxide concentration, falling pH and falling oxygen concentration in blood or cerebrospinal fluid, signalling the respiratory centres to increase ventilation.
- Proprioceptor
- Found in muscles, tendons and joints, detecting movement and limb position so that ventilation increases at the onset of exercise.
- Baroreceptor
- Found in blood vessel walls, detecting changes in blood pressure and contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular adjustment.
- Integration by the respiratory centres
- Receptor input is integrated by the respiratory centres, which adjust the rate and depth of pulmonary ventilation during physical activity.
Label the diagram
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