Which part of the brain is responsible for regulating breathing and heart rate?

The medulla oblongata is a crucial structure within the brainstem that plays a vital role in regulating several autonomic functions necessary for survival, including breathing and heart rate. It acts as a control center for these life-sustaining processes by sending signals to the muscles involved in respiration and to the heart, coordinating the rhythm and rate of each.

By continuously monitoring the levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the body, the medulla oblongata ensures that breathing rates adjust to meet the body's demands, such as during exercise or rest. It also controls functions like swallowing, coughing, and blood pressure. This specialization makes it the key area of the brain for maintaining homeostasis in critical functions that keep the body alive.

In contrast, the cerebellum is mainly involved in motor control and coordination, while the cerebrum is responsible for higher brain functions, such as thought processes and sensory information processing. The hypothalamus plays a role in various functions, including hormone regulation and temperature control, but does not directly manage breathing and heart rate. Thus, the medulla oblongata is rightly identified as the part of the brain responsible for these essential autonomic functions.