What autonomic functions are controlled by the brainstem?

The brainstem is responsible for regulating critical autonomic functions that are essential for survival, including heart rate and breathing. This region of the brain connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord and contains several vital centers that help control these automatic processes. The medulla oblongata, part of the brainstem, plays a key role in maintaining cardiovascular and respiratory functions by sending signals to the heart to modulate heart rate and to the lungs for breathing regulation.

The other options represent functions managed by different parts of the brain. While memory and emotion are largely governed by the limbic system and areas of the cerebral cortex, vision and hearing are primarily processed in the occipital lobe and temporal lobes, respectively. Motor control movements are managed by the motor cortex and other associated structures, not mainly by the brainstem. Thus, the correct answer highlights the brainstem's crucial role in maintaining these vital autonomic functions.