As you are listening to a lecture, workers are repairing a wall just outside your classroom. Throughout the class, you find yourself coughing and sneezing because of the dust and fumes in the air. Which brain structure controls such vital reflexes as sneezing, coughing, and swallowing?

The medulla oblongata

Explanation: By way of introduction, there are three components of the brainstem which consists of the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain.The medulla oblongata is the lower half of the brainstem. The medulla oblongata controls autonomic functions and connects the higher levels of the brain to the spinal cord. It is also responsible for regulating several basic functions of the autonomic nervous system, including:

i. Respiration: chemoreceptors

ii. Cardiac center: sympathetic system, parasympathetic system

iii. Vasomotor center: baroreceptors

iv. Reflex centers of vomiting, coughing, sneezing, and swallowing. So when an individual is exhibiting symptoms/effects as a result of inhaling fumes and dust, there is a vital organ in the brain known as medulla oblongata which controls the reflex centers as it responds to stimuli.

Medulla

Explanation:

Medulla oblongata is the part of brainstem between pons and spinal cord.

It extends through the foramen magnum to the level of atlas.

Medulla is vital for our function otherwise we'll die.

It carries out and regulates life sustaining functions such as :

Its functions are involuntary.

As a part of brainstem,it also helps transfer the neural messages from brain to the spinal cord.

Hence, the vital reflexes are controlled by Medulla.

b is the correct answer