What is the effect of high carbon dioxide levels on respiration?

High carbon dioxide levels in the blood, a condition known as hypercapnia, are a powerful stimulus for increasing the respiratory rate. The primary drive for respiration is governed by the levels of carbon dioxide; when CO2 levels rise, it leads to an increase in hydrogen ion concentration, which causes a decrease in pH (making the blood more acidic). This change is detected by chemoreceptors in the brain and in the carotid bodies.

The body responds to elevated CO2 levels by stimulating the respiratory centers in the brain to increase the rate and depth of breathing, a process known as hyperventilation. This response facilitates the removal of carbon dioxide from the body, helping restore normal levels and optimal acid-base balance. Therefore, the stimulation of increased respiratory rate directly relates to the body's need to maintain homeostasis in response to hypercapnia.