Final answer:
The pontine respiratory group, consisting of the apneustic and pneumotaxic centers, controls different aspects of breathing. The apneustic center stimulates neurons to control the depth of inspiration, while the pneumotaxic center inhibits neuronal activity to control the breathing rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pontine respiratory group, located within the pons of the brain, consists of the apneustic and pneumotaxic centers. The apneustic center stimulates neurons in the dorsal respiratory group (DRG) to control the depth of inspiration, particularly for deep breathing. The pneumotaxic center inhibits the activity of neurons in the DRG, allowing relaxation after inspiration and thus controlling the overall breathing rate.