Order of Respiratory Processes and Function of Hypoxic Drive

To better understand the Hypoxic drive, its components and purposes should be understood on a deeper level. The body compensates for an acute drop in the oxygen levels of the body through the Hypoxic ventilatory response. The response involves the pulmonary ventilation increasing the uptake of oxygen with each breath. It is noticed in neonatal human beings as well that a small drop in oxygen levels will cause a difference in ventilation rates. [1]The ventilation is complementary to a drop in metabolism levels which also lead to a smaller use of oxygen to metabolize within the human body. Metabolism is a tangential topic as well, but not a point of emphasis in the paper. The Hypoxic drive is also activated by an extended period of Hypoxia in the body.  It is the main response to hypoxia and is a response to primarily the drop in Peripheral oxygen levels.[2]  The second response that comes after the hypoxic drive is worked is hypoxic vasodilation which increases perfusion of O₂ rich blood to the tissues of the body, but is less common than the regulation by Hypoxic ventilatory control.[3]

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[1] Tepemma 2010

[2] David K Pierson Pathophysiology and Clinical Effects of Chronic Hypoxia (p.g. 44)

[3] Am J Pathol. 2004 June; 164(6): 1875–1882