What are chemoreceptors responsible for?

Chemoreceptors play a crucial role in the body's ability to sense and respond to changes in the chemical composition of the environment. They are specialized sensory receptors that detect specific chemical substances, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels, in the blood and other bodily fluids. This function is vital for maintaining homeostasis, particularly in regulating respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

When chemoreceptors identify changes in the concentration of these chemicals, they send signals to the brain, prompting appropriate physiological responses. For example, an increase in carbon dioxide in the blood can stimulate an increase in respiration rate to expel more CO2 and restore balance.

In contrast, the other options relate to different sensory systems or body functions. Sound vibrations pertain to mechanoreceptors, temperature regulation involves thermoreceptors, and controlling muscle movement is primarily governed by motor neurons and not chemoreceptors. Thus, the significant role of chemoreceptors in detecting changes in chemical composition makes this the correct answer.