If the heart stops, which of the following will also stop?

When the heart stops, breathing is typically affected. The heart is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood throughout the body, including to the diaphragm and other muscles that control breathing. If the heart is no longer beating, the supply of oxygen to the body is compromised. This lack of oxygen can lead to a cessation of consciousness and may also result in the body not receiving signals to continue the process of inhalation and exhalation.

In addition to breathing, circulation is directly halted because the heart is the organ that pumps blood. Likewise, consciousness is typically lost shortly after the heart stops beating due to the brain's rapid depletion of oxygen. Therefore, the stopping of the heart directly leads to a cessation of breathing, highlighting the interconnectedness of these vital functions. The correct choice acknowledges this relationship, emphasizing the critical role the heart plays in sustaining the body's overall function.