International A Level Biology / Muscles, movement and the heart

Controlling breathing: the ventilation centre

Edexcel International A Level Biology (YBI11), chapter 21: Muscles, movement and the heart, specification point 7.13. Part of the full course.

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The ventilation centre controls breathing by sending impulses to the muscles that move the chest. Carbon dioxide levels help regulate breathing, and ventilation works with cardiac output to supply oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.

More lessons in Muscles, movement and the heart

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• Reading ECGs
• Negative and positive feedback
• Cardiac output
• Controlling heart rate: the cardiovascular control centre
• Core practical 17: spirometer traces and exercise