Question #329
Which of the following would be seen in a subject breathing a carbon dioxide-free gas mixture?
A significant component of the drive to breath arises from the action of carbon dioxide on the peripheral chemoreceptors. Eliminating carbon dioxide from the inhaled gas mixture will result in an increased gradient for its excretion, decreasing arterial pCO2. A decreased respiratory rate and volume, combining to give a decreased alveolar ventilation rate, would be expected. Decreased arterial pCO2 would result in a left shift of the oxygen-haemoglobin dissociation curve, as well as an increase in pH.