Final answer:
Peripheral chemoreceptors, which detect changes in blood CO2 levels, are located in the aortic arch and carotid arteries. They signal the brain to adjust respiration accordingly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemoreceptors sensitive to blood carbon dioxide levels are primarily located in the aortic arch and carotid arteries. These specialized receptors, known as peripheral chemoreceptors, play a critical role in monitoring changes in blood levels of CO₂, oxygen, and pH. When there is a rise in carbon dioxide levels, these chemoreceptors signal the cardiovascular center and the respiratory centers in the medulla oblongata, triggering a response to increase the rate and depth of respiration, thereby expelling more CO₂ from the body to maintain homeostasis.