What is the primary role of the spinal cord?

The primary role of the spinal cord is to transmit signals between the brain and the rest of the body. It serves as the main communication pathway for information traveling to and from the brain. The spinal cord carries motor commands from the brain to the body, enabling movement, and also conveys sensory information from the body back to the brain, allowing for perception of sensations such as touch, pain, and temperature. This role is crucial for coordinating responses to environmental stimuli and maintaining overall bodily function.

In contrast, the structural support of the spine is primarily provided by the vertebrae and surrounding structures rather than the spinal cord itself. While cerebrospinal fluid is important for cushioning and protecting the spinal cord and brain, its production is carried out by specialized cells in the brain's ventricles, not the spinal cord. Lastly, while the spinal cord plays a role in processing some reflexive actions, it does not store neural information in the same way that the brain does, which is responsible for the storage and retrieval of memories and learned behaviors. Thus, option B accurately describes the central function of the spinal cord within the nervous system.