Which part of the nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord?

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord is the central nervous system. This system serves as the primary control center for processing and transmitting information throughout the body. It is responsible for interpreting sensory information, coordinating responses, and executing higher-level functions such as thinking, memory, and decision-making.

The brain acts as the main processing unit, while the spinal cord serves as a critical pathway for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Together, they enable not only voluntary movements but also involuntary actions through reflexes.

Other parts of the nervous system, such as the peripheral nervous system, consist of nerves that branch out from the central nervous system to peripheral organs and limbs, facilitating communication between the central nervous system and the rest of the organism. The autonomic nervous system is a component of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary functions, and the somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles. However, none of these alternatives include both the brain and spinal cord, highlighting the central nervous system's essential role in integrating and processing all incoming and outgoing neural signals.