Final answer:
The brainstem is where the spinal cord meets the brain and is crucial for basic survival functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion. It includes the midbrain, medulla oblongata, and pons and is essential for the integration of motor and sensory signals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The area where the spinal cord meets the brain and is responsible for basic survival functions is known as the brainstem. The brainstem is an extension of the spinal cord and is essential for coordinating many vital functions such as alertness, breathing, blood pressure, digestion, heart rate, and coordination of motor signals to the body.
It consists of the midbrain, medulla oblongata, and the pons. Ascending neural pathways in the brainstem allow for the control of opposite sides of the body, integrating motor and sensory information for critical bodily functions.