Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for coordination and balance?

The cerebellum is the part of the brain primarily responsible for coordination and balance. It is located at the back of the brain, beneath the cerebrum, and plays a key role in fine-tuning motor activities. The cerebellum integrates sensory information from the inner ear and proprioceptors located throughout the body, allowing it to adjust movements in real-time to maintain balance and posture.

Additionally, it helps in the coordination of voluntary movements, ensuring that actions are performed smoothly and accurately, which is essential for activities such as walking, running, and playing sports. The cerebellum’s ability to learn and refine motor skills through practice also emphasizes its critical role in movement coordination.

In contrast, while the spinal cord transmits signals between the brain and the body, it does not directly involve the fine-tuning of balance and coordination. The cerebrum is primarily responsible for higher cognitive functions, including thought and action planning, but it does not specialize in balance. The medulla oblongata controls autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate, rather than coordination and balance. Thus, the cerebellum's focus on integrating sensory inputs and refining motor output makes it the correct choice regarding coordination and balance.