Which body system is made up of the brain and the spinal cord?

• A. Peripheral nervous system
• B. Central nervous system
• C. Autonomic nervous system
• D. Somatic nervous system

Answer: (B)

The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. It acts as the body's control center, processing sensory information and coordinating actions. The brain is where information is interpreted and decisions are made, while the spinal cord transmits messages between the brain and the rest of the body and helps coordinate reflexes. The peripheral nervous system, which lies outside the CNS, consists of the nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Within it, the autonomic nervous system handles involuntary functions (like heartbeat and digestion) and the somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements and sensory signals from the skin and muscles. So, the brain and spinal cord together form the central nervous system.