Question

Pneumotaxic centre is located in
(a) Medulla oblongata
(b) Pons
(c) Cerebrum
(d) Diencephalon

Answer 1

Hint: Pneumotaxic centre is one of the centres along with the respiratory centre whose function is to regulate the respiratory rhythm of our body. This regulation of breathing and exchange of gases occurs involuntarily in the body i.e. without conscious effort.

Complete Step by Step Answer:
Pneumotaxic centre is a centre present in the pons region of the brain which can moderate the function of the respiratory rhythm centre by signalling it. A neural signal from the pneumotaxic centre can reduce the duration of inspiration and thus change the rate of respiration as well.
So, the correct option is ‘Pons’.

Additional information:
Let us look in detail how regulation of respiration takes place:
- There is a specialized structure called the respiratory structure present in the medulla oblongata region of the brain. It is the main centre for regulating respiration.
- We have already learnt about the centre present in pons known as pneumotaxic centre.
- There is a chemosensitive area situated next to the respiratory rhythm centre which has a high sensitivity for CO2 and hydrogen ions. Any amount of increase in these ions activates this area to send a signal to the respiratory rhythm centre to make adjustments to bring the conditions back to normal.
- Respiratory receptors are also present in the aortic and carotid arch which signal the respiratory rhythm centre when there is an increase in the CO2 and H+ levels
- By this, we can conclude that Co2 and H+ ions contribute more to the regulation of respiration than oxygen.

Note: The medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain are combinedly known as the brainstem which is the distal part of the brain. The brain stem components together function to regulate heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure and several other physiological functions. The brain stem also acts as a relay centre for information between the body and the cerebrum.