Final answer:
Exocrine glands, smooth muscles, and cardiac muscles are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which operates without the need for conscious control and handles involuntary bodily functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Exocrine glands, smooth muscles, and cardiac muscles are controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is responsible for functions that affect cardiac or smooth muscle tissue, as well as glands to produce their secretions. It operates largely without conscious control, meaning it automates bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate.
While the somatic nervous system (SNS) controls voluntary movements primarily related to skeletal muscle, the autonomic nervous system manages involuntary processes, which include the actions of the exocrine glands, smooth muscles, and the heart muscle.