Final answer:
The coronal (or frontal) plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions, and is distinct from sagittal and transverse planes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The coronal (or frontal) plane is the anatomical plane that divides the body or an organ into anterior (front) and posterior (rear) portions. This is different from the sagittal plane, which divides the body into right and left portions and the transverse plane, which divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions. So, the answer to the student's question is a) Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions. The term coronal is derived from the Latin word 'corona,' meaning 'crown,' which relates to this plane encircling the body like a crown.