What role do peripheral chemoreceptors play in the body?

• A. Regulating blood pressure
• B. Detecting hypoxemia
• C. Enhancing oxygen transport
• D. Controlling the adrenal response

Answer: (B)

Peripheral chemoreceptors primarily function to detect changes in blood gases, particularly hypoxemia, which is a deficiency of oxygen in the blood. These receptors are located in specific areas such as the carotid bodies and aortic bodies and are sensitive to variations in oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels. When they sense low levels of oxygen, they stimulate an increase in the respiratory rate and depth to enhance oxygen uptake and delivery to the tissues, thereby playing a critical role in maintaining homeostasis.

The regulation of blood pressure, enhancement of oxygen transport, and control of the adrenal response are functions that are not directly associated with the role of peripheral chemoreceptors. Instead, these processes involve separate systems and mechanisms within the body. For instance, blood pressure is mainly regulated by baroreceptors and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, while oxygen transport is primarily a function of hemoglobin in red blood cells. The adrenal response, which includes the release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, is regulated by the autonomic nervous system and other key regulatory hormones, not by peripheral chemoreceptors.