Question

If Central Nervous System = Brain + Spinal Cord, then Peripheral Nervous System = ........?

• A. Sympathetic + Parasympathetic Systems
• B. Forebrain + Hindbrain
• C. Somatic + Autonomic Nervous Systems
• D. Cerebrum + Cerebellum

Hint:

The key distinction between the Somatic and Autonomic Nervous Systems is that the Somatic Nervous System is involved in voluntary control of body movements, while the Autonomic Nervous System regulates involuntary processes like digestion, heartbeat, and breathing.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The human nervous system is divided into two primary parts: the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). The CNS is composed of the brain and the spinal cord, which are responsible for processing information and sending signals to the body.
- Central Nervous System (CNS): The CNS integrates sensory information, coordinates motor activities, and is the center of cognitive processes such as thought, memory, and decision-making. It consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain controls various functions such as reasoning, emotions, and memory, while the spinal cord acts as a communication pathway between the brain and the body.
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): The PNS is made up of all the nerves outside the CNS. It serves as a communication system that transmits sensory information to the CNS and relays motor commands from the CNS to the muscles and glands. The PNS is further divided into two major components:
1. Somatic Nervous System (SNS): This system controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles. It is responsible for actions that are under conscious control, such as walking or writing.
2. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): The ANS controls involuntary functions, such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate. It is divided into two subcategories:
- Sympathetic Nervous System: This system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, preparing the body for stress or danger.
- Parasympathetic Nervous System: This system is responsible for "rest and digest" functions, helping to conserve energy and return the body to a state of calm after stress.
Thus, the PNS includes both the somatic and autonomic systems, which work together to ensure proper communication between the body and the CNS.
The correct answer is (C) Somatic + Autonomic Nervous Systems because these are the two main components of the Peripheral Nervous System, analogous to how the CNS is composed of the brain and spinal cord.