What does peripheral chemoreceptors respond to?

Peripheral chemoreceptors primarily respond to changes in blood levels of oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and pH. Located in the carotid bodies and aortic bodies, they play a crucial role in regulating respiratory rate and depth by detecting hypoxia (low oxygen levels) and hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide levels). When these receptors sense deviations from normal levels, they send signals to the respiratory centers in the brain to adjust breathing accordingly.