Final answer:
The cerebral cortex and cerebellum are higher brain structures that exert control over the reticular nuclei. They manage complex cognitive functions and voluntary movements, affecting alertness and the sleep-wake cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structures that exert control over the reticular nuclei include the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum. These are higher brain structures responsible for processing complex cognitive functions and coordinating voluntary movements, respectively. The cerebral cortex is involved in many high-level brain functions, such as perception, thought, and decision-making, while the cerebellum is crucial for motor control and probably also plays a part in some cognitive functions. By influencing the reticular formation, which the reticular nuclei are a part of, these brain areas affect alertness and the sleep-wake cycle among other functions. It is also important to note that the amygdala and hippocampus, which are involved in emotion and memory, are part of the limbic system, while the basal ganglia are involved in movement control, and both these systems also interact with the reticular formation.