Which part of the brainstem is responsible for controlling breathing and heart rate?

The medulla is the part of the brainstem that plays a critical role in regulating vital autonomic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It contains specialized clusters of nerve cells known as nuclei that directly control the rhythm of breathing and affect heart rate through connections to the heart and blood vessels. The medulla continuously monitors the levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood, adjusting the respiratory rate accordingly to maintain homeostasis.

In contrast, the pons, while also part of the brainstem, primarily serves as a relay station between different parts of the brain and helps regulate sleep and arousal, rather than being directly responsible for autonomic control of breathing and heart rate.

The amygdala is part of the limbic system and is primarily involved in emotional responses and memory processing, which does not include direct regulation of heart rate or breathing.

The cerebellum is primarily concerned with the coordination of voluntary movements and balance, not with the involuntary processes of breathing and heart rate.

Therefore, the medulla is correctly identified as the crucial structure for controlling these essential life-sustaining functions.