ÜDS-Sağlık 2009-1 Soru=51

Its clear from the passage that the pons and the medulla ----.

What controls our breathing? We obviously have some
conscious control over it because we can voluntarily hold
our breath for a short while or breathe faster and deeper.
Most of the time, however, automatic control centres in
our brain regulate our breathing movements. Automatic
control is essential, for it ensures coordination between
the respiratory and circulatory systems and the body's
metabolic needs for gas exchange. Anatomically, our
breathing control centres are located in parts of the brain
called “the pons” and “the medulla.” Nerves from the
medulla's control centre signal the diaphragm and rib
muscles to contract, making us inhale. These nerves
send out signals that result in about 10-14 inhalations per
minute when we are at rest. Between inhalations, the
muscles relax, and we exhale. The control centre in the
pons smooths out the basic rhythm of breathing set by
the medulla.