Final answer:
The respiratory control centers in the brain are located in the medulla oblongata and the pons. The medulla oblongata contains the dorsal respiratory group (DRG) and the ventral respiratory group (VRG), which are involved in maintaining a constant breathing rhythm and controlling forced breathing, respectively. The pontine respiratory group in the pons consists of the apneustic and pneumotaxic centers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The respiratory control centers in the brain are located in the medulla oblongata and the pons. The medulla oblongata contains the dorsal respiratory group (DRG) and the ventral respiratory group (VRG), which are involved in maintaining a constant breathing rhythm and controlling forced breathing, respectively.
The pontine respiratory group in the pons consists of the apneustic and pneumotaxic centers. The apneustic center stimulates neurons in the DRG, controlling the depth of inspiration, while the pneumotaxic center inhibits the activity of neurons in the DRG, allowing relaxation after inspiration and controlling the overall rate of breathing.