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When you hold your breath, which of the following gas changes in blood would first lead to the urge to breathe?    [NEET 2015 / AIPMT 2015 ]
  • a)
    Rising CO2 concentration
  • b)
    Falling COconcentration
  • c)
    Rising CO2 and falling O2 concentration
  • d)
    Falling O2 concentration
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
When you hold your breath, which of the following gas changes in blood...
Excess CO2 mainly stimulates the respiratory centre of the brain and increases the inspiratory and expiratory signals to the respiratory muscles. O2 does not have a significant direct effect on the respiratory centre of the brain in controlling respiration. 
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Most Upvoted Answer
When you hold your breath, which of the following gas changes in blood...
Understanding Breath-Holding and the Urge to Breathe
When you hold your breath, physiological changes occur in the blood that stimulate the urge to breathe. The primary factor driving this urge is the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood.
Key Factors Influencing the Urge to Breathe:
- Rising CO2 Concentration:
- As you hold your breath, CO2 is continuously produced by cellular metabolism but is not exhaled.
- The accumulation of CO2 leads to an increase in its concentration in the blood.
- High levels of CO2 result in increased acidity (lower pH) in the blood, which is detected by chemoreceptors in the brain and arteries.
- Chemoreceptor Response:
- Peripheral chemoreceptors (located in carotid and aortic bodies) and central chemoreceptors (in the brainstem) sense the rising CO2 levels.
- These receptors send signals to the respiratory centers in the brain, triggering the urge to breathe.
- Falling O2 Concentration:
- While falling O2 (oxygen) levels do contribute to the urge to breathe, they do so at a slower rate.
- The body is more sensitive to changes in CO2 than in O2, making rising CO2 concentration the primary driver for the immediate urge to breathe.
Conclusion:
In summary, the urge to breathe during breath-holding is primarily due to the rising concentration of CO2 in the blood. While falling O2 levels also play a role, it is the increase in CO2 that prompts the body to seek fresh air first. Thus, option 'A' is the correct answer.
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When you hold your breath, which of the following gas changes in blood would first lead to the urge to breathe? [NEET 2015 /AIPMT 2015]a)Rising CO2concentrationb)Falling CO2concentrationc)Rising CO2and falling O2concentrationd)Falling O2concentrationCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for NEET 2026 is part of NEET preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the NEET exam syllabus. Information about When you hold your breath, which of the following gas changes in blood would first lead to the urge to breathe? [NEET 2015 /AIPMT 2015]a)Rising CO2concentrationb)Falling CO2concentrationc)Rising CO2and falling O2concentrationd)Falling O2concentrationCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for NEET 2026 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for When you hold your breath, which of the following gas changes in blood would first lead to the urge to breathe? [NEET 2015 /AIPMT 2015]a)Rising CO2concentrationb)Falling CO2concentrationc)Rising CO2and falling O2concentrationd)Falling O2concentrationCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
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