AQA · A-Level · Physical Education
Course version: 7582 · Version from Sept 2016
Respiratory system: Sympathetic and parasympathetic.
The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary functions, including breathing, through two opposing divisions.
Checked against the AQA 7582 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 11 of 17
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary functions, including breathing, through two opposing divisions. The respiratory control centre (RCC) in the medulla oblongata receives sensory information and adjusts ventilation. During exercise, the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated. It influences the RCC, which then increases the rate of somatic impulses sent via the phrenic and intercostal nerves to the respiratory muscles, increasing breathing rate and depth. Conversely, during rest or recovery, the parasympathetic nervous system dominates. It influences the RCC to decrease somatic impulses to these muscles, returning ventilation to resting levels. This dual control explains how the body adapts to varying physical demands.
What earns the marks
- The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary breathing via the respiratory control centre (RCC) in the medulla oblongata.
- The sympathetic nervous system influences the RCC to increase the rate and depth of breathing during exercise.
- The parasympathetic nervous system influences the RCC to decrease the rate and depth of breathing during rest or recovery.
- The RCC sends somatic motor impulses via the phrenic and intercostal nerves to the respiratory muscles to enact these changes.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Thinking the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves directly innervate respiratory muscles.
Put it right: They influence the RCC, which sends somatic impulses via the phrenic and intercostal nerves.
Confusing the roles of the two divisions.
Put it right: The sympathetic division is active during exercise, while the parasympathetic division dominates at rest.
Assuming breathing is only controlled consciously.
Put it right: The autonomic nervous system regulates it involuntarily based on the body's demands.
Exam tips
- Link the sympathetic nervous system to an increase in breathing rate and depth during exercise via the RCC.
- Link the parasympathetic nervous system to a decrease in breathing rate and depth during recovery via the RCC.
- Remember to state that the respiratory muscles are skeletal and receive somatic impulses from the phrenic and intercostal nerves, not direct autonomic impulses.
Try the lesson
The start of the Respiratory system: Sympathetic and parasympathetic. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which division of the autonomic nervous system increases the rate and depth of pulmonary ventilation during exercise?
Listen
The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary functions, including breathing, through two opposing divisions. The respiratory control centre (RCC) in the medulla oblongata receives sensory information and adjusts ventilation. During exercise, the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated. It influences the RCC, which then increases the rate of somatic impulses sent via the phrenic and intercostal nerves to the respiratory muscles, increasing breathing rate and depth. Conversely, during rest or recovery, the parasympathetic nervous system dominates. It influences the RCC to decrease somatic impulses to these muscles, returning ventilation to resting levels. This dual control explains how the body adapts to varying physical demands. A strong answer earns marks for these points. The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary breathing via the respiratory control centre (RCC) in the medulla oblongata. The sympathetic nervous system influences the RCC to increase the rate and depth of breathing during exercise. The parasympathetic nervous system influences the RCC to decrease the rate and depth of breathing during rest or recovery. The RCC sends somatic motor impulses via the phrenic and intercostal nerves to the respiratory muscles to enact these changes. Exam tip: Link the sympathetic nervous system to an increase in breathing rate and depth during exercise via the RCC.
Key words
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Autonomic control of ventilation
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Sympathetic nervous system and exercise
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Parasympathetic nervous system and rest
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The respiratory control centre
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See every definition
- Autonomic control of ventilation
- Regulation of involuntary breathing by two opposing divisions, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
- Sympathetic nervous system and exercise
- During exercise this system is stimulated and influences the RCC to increase the rate and depth of breathing.
- Parasympathetic nervous system and rest
- During rest or recovery this system dominates and influences the RCC to decrease somatic impulses, returning ventilation to resting levels.
- The respiratory control centre
- Located in the medulla oblongata, it receives sensory information and adjusts ventilation, sending somatic impulses via the phrenic and intercostal nerves to the respiratory muscles.
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