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From: mikeb@tekfdi.UUCP (Mike Boyce)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,sci.med
Subject: Re: HEART RATE
Message-ID: <579@tekfdi.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 4-Nov-86 02:09:09 EST
Article-I.D.: tekfdi.579
Posted: Tue Nov  4 02:09:09 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 5-Nov-86 05:47:12 EST
References: <768@mtx5w.UUCP> <1154@masscomp.UUCP>
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Organization: Tektronix Inc., Beaverton, Or.
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Xref: watmath sci.bio:14 sci.med:153
Summary: taste of blood

In article <1154@masscomp.UUCP>, ts@masscomp.UUCP (Tony Schene) writes:
> In article <768@mtx5w.UUCP> drv@mtx5w.UUCP writes:
> > Does anyone know the underlying mechanism that
> > "causes" the heart to beat faster during exercise?
> 
> Basically, it's a physiological reaction to lower pH levels, and lower oxygen
> partial pressures in the blood (the lower pH is caused by increased carbon
> dioxide).  Sensory receptors in the carotid and aortic arteries respond
> to lower oxygen levels, and a cardio-accelerator center in the hindbrain
> responds directly to pH values.  I don't know for sure how this information

My psych prof (behaviorist) has described this mechanism in terms of taste. 
Anyone who has experienced oxygen starvation knows the "taste" of it.
He described the receptors as "taste buds". From there on I assume that 
the circuit is "hardwired". In my (arm chair) opinion, a good explanation
of these types of circuits is a book by Norbert Wiener, "Cybernetics,
Control Mechanisms in Animal and the Machine". Skip the intense math.
Interesting reading. As a side issue: What causes the euphoria induced
by aerobic exercise. 

				Micky Mick Mick
				At your ...