Which process is primarily governed by the autonomic nervous system?

• A. Voluntary movement of skeletal muscles
• B. Learning and memory formation
• C. Regulation of heart rate
• D. Conscious perception of pain

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is a division of the peripheral nervous system responsible for involuntary control of bodily functions, such as heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, and glandular secretions.
2. Step 2: Differentiate between voluntary and involuntary processes. Voluntary processes, such as the movement of skeletal muscles, are controlled by the somatic nervous system, not the autonomic nervous system.
3. Step 3: Examine the options provided. Learning and memory formation are functions of the central nervous system, specifically involving the brain's hippocampus and other regions, and are not governed by the autonomic nervous system.
4. Step 4: Consider the regulation of heart rate. This is an involuntary process controlled by the autonomic nervous system, specifically through its two branches: the sympathetic nervous system (which increases heart rate) and the parasympathetic nervous system (which decreases heart rate).
5. Step 5: Eliminate conscious perception of pain as an option. Pain perception involves sensory pathways and the somatic nervous system, which are part of conscious processes, not the autonomic nervous system.