North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What does the cerebrum control in the body?

1. Breathing and swallowing

2. Touch and movement

3. Motor skills and muscle coordination

4. Emotions and thoughts

The correct answer is: Touch and movement

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and plays a crucial role in various higher-level functions. It is responsible for processing sensory information, planning and executing voluntary movements, and is heavily involved in cognitive functions and emotional regulation. Specifically, one of the primary functions of the cerebrum is controlling touch and movement. The sensory areas of the cerebrum process information from the skin, muscles, and joints, which enables perception of touch, pressure, temperature, and pain. In addition, the motor areas of the cerebrum are responsible for the planning, control, and execution of voluntary movements. This includes everything from simple actions like lifting an arm to complex movements involved in playing a musical instrument or engaging in sports. While motor skills and muscle coordination are indeed important functions of the brain, particularly involving the cerebellum, the cerebrum's comprehensive role encompasses both sensory processing related to touch and planning movements, highlighting its importance in overall physical interaction with the environment.