The medulla oblongata, located in the brainstem, plays a crucial role in regulating vital involuntary functions such as heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and digestion. It is a part of the autonomic nervous system.
- The cerebrum (Option 1) is responsible for higher functions like thinking, memory, and voluntary movement.
- The cerebellum (Option 2) is involved in coordination and balance.
- The hypothalamus (Option 4) regulates temperature, hunger, and thirst, and controls the pituitary gland, but it does not control basic life functions like heart rate or breathing.
Thus, the correct answer is the medulla oblongata.