====== Carotid Body Mechanism ======

The level of oxygen present in mammalian blood - critical for survival - is controlled by a complex feedback system triggering increased or decreased breathing, and alterations in blood pressure etc.. It's dependent on 'sensors', one primary sensor is called the Carotid Body.

>Oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) sensing by the carotid body and its chemosensory reflex is critical for homeostatic regulation of breathing and blood pressure."
>\\ Source : [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carotid_body|Wikipedia]]

However, the molecular mechanisms for detecting variations in oxygen partial pressure have yet to be identified. There may be multiple mechanisms, and they could vary between species.

Further reading on O<sub>2</sub> regulation: [[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005272807002496|Oxygen sensors in context]] //Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Bioenergetics// Volume 1777, Issue 1, January 2008, Pages 1–14

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Also see : [[content:life_sciences:zoology:respiratory_rhythm]]

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