What are the major components of the peripheral nervous system?

The major components of the peripheral nervous system are indeed the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The somatic nervous system is responsible for voluntary movements and the transmission of sensory information to the central nervous system. It encompasses all the nerves that communicate with the skeletal muscles and the body's sensory receptors.

The autonomic nervous system, on the other hand, regulates involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate. It further divides into the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, which work to manage the body’s response to stress and maintain homeostasis, respectively. Together, these two systems encompass the components of the peripheral nervous system, allowing for both conscious control over bodily movements and automatic regulation of internal processes.

In contrast, the information provided in the other choices involves components that belong to different systems or levels of nervous system organization. For instance, the cerebral cortex and limbic system are parts of the central nervous system, particularly involved in higher-order functions such as cognition and emotion. The spinal cord and brainstem also belong to the central nervous system, controlling reflexes and basic life functions but not classified under the peripheral nervous system. Lastly, the mention of the parasympathetic system and central nervous system mixes components from