Video Transcript
Which of the following is the main
part of the brain responsible for controlling and coordinating your movements and
keeping your body balance when you exercise? (A) Frontal lobe, (B) cerebellum,
(C) midbrain, (D) medulla oblongata.
Our question asks us to identify
the brain structure responsible for coordinating movements and keeping balance when
exercising. Scientists now know that most
functions accomplished by the brain involve many different regions across the entire
brain working in conjunction through interconnections. In the case of motor movement, the
brain has to figure out which muscles to contract, plan in which order to send the
motor commands, and estimate and calculate the force needed based on the body
position and environmental parameters. So, not surprisingly, there are
many anatomical regions involved in processing movement.
We can approach this question by
reviewing each answer and finding the correct one through a process of
elimination. The frontal lobe is largely
responsible for voluntary movement and executive functioning such as planning and
organization. While our question does suggest
movement through exercise, the frontal lobe is not responsible for coordination or
balance. Therefore, the frontal lobe is not
the correct answer.
The cerebellum is a main regulator
of motor movement. It acts as an air traffic
controller since it collects an unbelievable amount of information. For example, it collects copies of
motor commands descending from the frontal lobe and all of the sensory information
coming from the body parts via the spinal cord. It then integrates all of this
information to perfectly coordinate the timing of our movements and rapidly adjust
them if there is any unexpected changes in the environment. The cerebellum is also very
important for our posture, balance, and for our motor learning. This helps our motor movements
become automatic with training. So the cerebellum is a good
answer. However, let’s continue reviewing
the other answer choices to ensure no other choice is a better fit.
The midbrain is also important for
motor movement. But it does not specifically help
with coordination or balance. Instead, the midbrain helps with
eye movement and auditory and visual processing. Thus, the midbrain is not a good
answer choice.
Finally, the medulla oblongata is
implicated in the regulation of respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Since the medulla oblongata does
not contribute to motor movement, balance, or coordination, this answer choice is
incorrect.
Now we have enough information to
answer the question correctly. Therefore, the main part of the
brain responsible for controlling and coordinating our movements and keeping your
body balance when you’re exercising is the cerebellum.
