CHEMICAL RECEPTOR REFLEX

What influence the heart function?

Medulla Oblongata - contains chemoreceptors that are sensitive to changes in pH and CO
Epinephrine and small amounts of Norepinephrine
- released from the medulla oblongata
- in response to exercise, emotional excitement, and stress
- bind to receptor proteins on cardiac muscle and cause increased heart rate and stroke volume
Excitement, Anxiety, Anger
- affect the cardioregulatory center
- cause increased sympathetic stimulation of the heart and increased cardiac output
Depression
- increased parasympathetic stimulation of the heart
- slight reduction in cardiac output
Decreased pH
- produced from the medulla oblongata
- caused by an increase in CO levels
- results in sympathetic stimulation of the heart

Chemoreceptor Reflex
- maintains homeostasis in response to
changes in blood concentrations of CO
and H+ (or pH)
1) Blood pH is within its normal range
2) Blood pH increases outside its normal
range
3) Chemoreceptors detect increased
blood pH
4) Control centers in the brain decrease
sympathetic stimulation of the heart
and adrenal medulla
5) Heart rate and stroke volume decrease
, reducing blood flow to the lungs
6) Blood pH will decrease as a result in

Hypertrophy
Gradual
increase in
the pressure
in the aorta

Gradual
decrease in
the aortas
elasticity

Increased
pulmonar
y edema

Increase in
left atrial
pressure

Effects of Aging on the Heart

At age 70, there is a decrease of 1/3 in a persons cardiac output
limited ability to respond to emergencies, infections, blood loss, or stress
cardiac muscle requires a greater amount to contract and relax
maximum heart rate decreases
affect the connective tissue of the heart valves
aortic semilunar valve become incompetent
cardiac arrhythmias
coronary artery disease and heart failure

Beneficial Effects on the Heart