Final answer:
The autonomic nervous system controls cardiac functions such as heart rate modulation by pacemaker cells, blood pressure regulation via vascular resistance, and coordination of output by the cardiovascular center in the medulla oblongata.
Step-by-step explanation:
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a crucial role in controlling various processes of cardiac function. The main processes that are influenced by the ANS include:
- Heart rate modulation through the action of the pacemaker cells which respond to sympathetic and parasympathetic signals.
- Regulation of blood pressure via sympathetic control, which adjusts the contraction of smooth muscle in the blood vessel walls, affecting vascular resistance.
- Coordination of cardiac function by the cardiovascular center in the medulla oblongata, which integrates sensory inputs and controls the rate and force of heart contractions by adjusting autonomic output.
Furthermore, the release of hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine from the adrenal medulla has an impact on heart rate and blood vessel constriction, thereby influencing blood pressure and cardiac output.