Question

which of the following best describes how the spinal cord and the brain work together? choose one option a messages travel to and from the brain to other parts of the body through the spinal cord. b the spinal cord controls the body’s movement, and the brain controls coordination. c the spinal cord sends messages to the brain, telling it what functions to perform. d the spinal cord is a bone in the back that supports your skull, which houses the brain.

Explanation:

• Option A: The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system and acts as a pathway for nerve impulses (messages) to travel between the brain and the rest of the body, so this is correct.
• Option B: The brain (specifically areas like the cerebellum) controls movement and coordination, while the spinal cord is a pathway, not the primary controller of movement, so this is incorrect.
• Option C: The brain sends signals to the body (via the spinal cord) and receives sensory input from the body (via the spinal cord); the spinal cord does not tell the brain what functions to perform, so this is incorrect.
• Option D: The spinal cord is not a bone; it is a bundle of nerves surrounded by vertebrae (bones), so this is incorrect.

Answer:

A. Messages travel to and from the brain to other parts of the body through the spinal cord.