2006-09-27 05:28:35 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The heart is simply a muscle, which needs only a blood supply to survive. Its beating is controlled by the medulla oblongata, at the brain stem, the junction between the brain and the spinal cord. You don't need any more brain than this to control the heartbeat.
2006-09-27 05:36:13 · answer #1 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All involuntary functions are controlled by the medulla oblongata which is part of the brain. As others have stated it's strictly muscle memory that keeps the heart beating once the brain dies.
2006-09-27 05:38:22 · answer #2 · answered by Kainoa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the heart's activity is pretty much involuntary, so no help from the brain is needed. Anyway, it seems to me there are lots of essentially brainless people walking around with hearts that work fine.
2006-09-27 05:35:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the cells in the heart are, for the lack of a better word, 'preprogrammed' to contract in unison, thereby pumping blood. This action needs no information from the brain.
2006-09-27 05:31:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
technically you do the brain for proper function.
2006-09-27 05:37:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋