How does the lungs know which is O2 and CO2? We breathe a ton of different gasses daily but what happens to the other gases other than O2 and CO2 when inhaled?

Question

How does the lungs know which is O2 and CO2? We breathe a ton of different gasses daily but what happens to the other gases other than O2 and CO2 when inhaled?

In: 729

Answer 1

Chemoreceptors, they tell your body when there’s too much CO2 in your body. They are why you feel like you’re dying when you hold your breath but you die in your sleep when your furnace emits CO into your house.