Carotid Body Function and Unique Characteristics

Once the chemoreceptors pick up the trace of O₂ deprivation, they release neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters in turn set off a chain of reactions that cause the body to release stored ATP and AMPK that will allow for the body to restore functions. (Wyatt, Mustard, and others, p 282) In essence, ATP and AMPK are the compounds in our body that are essential to body functions and processes that occur throughout every microcell of our body. (Khakh and Burnstock) The carotid body sensing is significantly different from normally used Carbon dioxide chemoreceptors. Carbon dioxide chemoreceptors are located in brain stem, coronary arteries and in carotid bodies as well. However, the major difference between the carbon dioxide chemoreceptors and the oxygen chemoreceptors is that the carbon dioxide chemoreceptors react to changes on a far more optimized level in the sense that they induce major alveolar ventilation with sensation of extraneous levels of carbon dioxide within the body. (Dean and Nattie 2010) The point in the making is that oxygen chemoreceptors can pick up the slightest drops; however, they do not introduce or rather initialize or catalyze a reaction until the oxygen pressure drops below an approximated 60 torr. The problem with an oxygen pressure below 60 torr is that the pressure is dubbed as Hypercapnic respiratory failure which is detrimental to the cellular functions of the body and the brain itself.




Above is a picture of AMPK and its uses within the body. The main elemental nature of AMPK is that it provides the power for protein synthesis which esentially drives the cellular functions of the body.