Which receptor increases respiratory rate and diameter?

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Multiple Choice

Which receptor increases respiratory rate and diameter?

The main concept here is how certain autonomic receptors regulate airway size and breathing. Beta-2 receptors on bronchial smooth muscle respond to sympathetic signaling by triggering a raise in cAMP that relaxes the smooth muscle, widening the airways (bronchodilation) and lowering airway resistance. With wider airways, airflow increases, and during sympathetic arousal the breathing rate can rise as part of that response. The other receptor types don’t produce this combination of bronchodilation and ventilatory acceleration: Alpha-1 causes vascular constriction, Beta-1 mainly increases heart rate and contractility, and GABA receptors are CNS inhibitory and don’t control airway tone. So the receptor best explaining increased respiratory rate and diameter is the Beta-2 receptor.

The main concept here is how certain autonomic receptors regulate airway size and breathing. Beta-2 receptors on bronchial smooth muscle respond to sympathetic signaling by triggering a raise in cAMP that relaxes the smooth muscle, widening the airways (bronchodilation) and lowering airway resistance. With wider airways, airflow increases, and during sympathetic arousal the breathing rate can rise as part of that response. The other receptor types don’t produce this combination of bronchodilation and ventilatory acceleration: Alpha-1 causes vascular constriction, Beta-1 mainly increases heart rate and contractility, and GABA receptors are CNS inhibitory and don’t control airway tone. So the receptor best explaining increased respiratory rate and diameter is the Beta-2 receptor.

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