Jeffrey P. Utz, M.D. wrote in message ...
>Eugene Leitl wrote in message <14221.26305.337073.729660 at lrz.de>...
>We do that trick: we breath with our diaphragm thanks to our
respiratory
>centers so that we can use our brains to dream during REM sleep.
>Jeff Utz
However, our diaphragm needs to be instructed when to contract by
action
potentials from the CNS (medulla) via the phrenic nerve!
The fact is, without a brain we don't breathe. Of course, if you
restrict
"brain" to cerebrum, that is a different matter.
if we were molluscs, we could ventilate our gills through our siphons
with
ciliary action, and wouldn't need a CNS!
