Question

What is the major control center of the autonomic nervous system and how does it function? How would basic drives such as feeding, drinking, aggression, sexual response, body temperature alter ANS balance?

Answer 1

ANSWER :  

The subregion of brain stem (medulla) is the main control center of autonomic nervous system (ANS). A specific structure present above the brain stem (hypothalamus) integrates via autonomic regulatory feedback mechanism (positive & negative) to control some basic drives such as feeding, drinking, sexual response body temperature etc. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous branches of ANS alter the physiological changes according to need.