Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Basic survival functions refer to the essential physiological processes that are necessary for an organism's survival, such as hunger, sleep, breathing, and thirst.
The hypothalamus is a small region in the brain that plays a crucial role in regulating basic survival functions. It acts as the command center for maintaining homeostasis by controlling hunger, thirst, body temperature, and sleep cycles.
The medulla oblongata is located at the base of the brainstem and controls vital autonomic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
The reticular formation is a network of nerve fibers scattered throughout the brainstem that regulates arousal levels and sleep-wake cycles. It helps determine whether we are awake or asleep.