Increases and Decreases of the Heart Rate Result from Changes

Question

Increases and decreases of the heart rate result from changes in the activity of the
A) corpus callosum.
B) medulla oblongata.
C) thalamus.
D) pituitary.
E) cerebellum.

Accepted Answer

The medulla oblongata is responsible for regulating the heart rate, among other autonomic functions such as breathing and digestion. It receives input from higher brain centers and sensory receptors, and adjusts the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to increase or decrease heart rate.