Control of Heart Rate

Control of Heart Rate

The control of heart rate is a negative feedback system, with the coordinator being a region of the brain called the medulla. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling heart rate to meet the varying demands for oxygen. Receptors in the walls of the aorta and carotid arteries detect changes in blood pressure and pH of blood (due to increased carbon dioxide concentrations).

• The contraction of the ventricle muscle supplies cells with oxygen and glucose and removes carbon dioxide. Thus heart rate must be responsive to the body's varying demands
• High concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood means a high rate of aerobic respiration
• Increasing heart rate increases the rate…