What happens to respiration rate if CO2 levels increase in the body?

When carbon dioxide (CO2) levels increase in the body, the respiratory system responds by increasing the respiration rate. This response is primarily regulated by chemoreceptors in the brain and carotid arteries that monitor the levels of CO2 and oxygen in the blood. When CO2 levels rise, it leads to an increase in hydrogen ions, causing a decrease in blood pH (acidosis).

The body detects this change and reacts by stimulating the respiratory centers in the brain to increase the rate and depth of breathing. This hyperventilation helps to expel more CO2, restoring normal levels in the bloodstream and thus normalizing the acid-base balance. The increase in respiration rate is an essential physiological response to prevent respiratory acidosis, ensuring that the body maintains homeostasis.