Although the contributions of the nonpacemaker and pacemaker neurons are a gradient, they differ in their contribution when switching from eupneic to gasping activity. Eupneic activity requires the activation of ICAN and INaP-dependent bursting mechanisms, pacemaker neurons that on ICAN currents selectively hyperpolarize during low oxygenates states, meaning the system depend more so on INaP currents during gasping. The generation of sighs is more sensitive to INaP changes, therefore it may rely somewhat on pacemaker neuron contribution.Moreover, the complex respiratory network relies on different contributions of different types of bursting mechanisms.