Question

Heavy labored and rapid breathing will result in which of the following?
(a)High ${ CO }_{ 2 }$ in blood
(b)High ${ O }_{ 2 }$ in atmosphere
(c)Low ${ CO }_{ 2 }$ in blood
(d)Low ${ O }_{ 2 }$ in blood

Answer 1

Heavy and labored breathing takes place when there is a high amount of ${ CO }_{ 2 }$ in the body and thus the body tries to breathe faster to restore the balance of gases in the blood. Such a condition is known as hyperventilation and it is caused by a number of things like exercise, anxiety, or asthma.

Complete answer:
Heavy labored and rapid breathing is a symptom of a high amount of ${ CO }_{ 2 }$ in the blood which means that proper respiration is not taking place. In such a condition, a high breathing rate of more than 20 breaths per minute is seen which is known as tachypnea. Tachypnea can occur due to various causes which are limiting the amount of air entering the body like pneumonia, asthma, etc. When a person keeps breathing fast for a period of time, it results in a decrease in the ${ CO }_{ 2 }$ levels of the body, and thus such a person will have low ${ CO }_{ 2 }$ in blood.

Additional Information: Let us look at the mechanisms in our body that regulate breathing.
The regulation of breathing is done involuntarily by the neural system of the body in response to the demands of the body.
A center known as the respiratory rhythm center is present in the medulla region of the brain which is one of the primary structures regulating breathing.
Another center known as the pneumotaxic center is present in the pons region of the brain which can moderate the function of the respiratory rhythm center such as reducing the duration of inspiration.
There is also a chemosensitive area present next to the rhythm center that is highly sensitive to change in the levels of ${ CO }_{ 2 }$ and hydrogen ions. An increase in these substances activates this center which in turn signals the respiratory center.
So, the correct option is ‘Low ${ CO }_{ 2 }$ in blood’.

Note: -Receptors are also present in the aortic arch and the carotid artery can also detect changes in the levels of ${ CO }_{ 2 }$ and hydrogen ions and send a signal to the rhythm center.
-It is seen that oxygen does not play a major role in the regulation of breathing.
-Bradypnea is the opposite of tachypnea and is used to define the condition when a person is breathing slower than normal.