What aspect of the peripheral nervous system controls involuntary actions such as heart rate and digestion?

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, and sexual arousal. This system operates without conscious control, allowing the body to automatically adjust to changes in the internal and external environments.

The autonomic nervous system is further divided into two branches: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic system prepares the body for stressful or energetic activity, often referred to as the "fight or flight" response, while the parasympathetic system promotes a "rest and digest" state, helping to conserve energy and facilitate restorative processes.

In contrast, the somatic nervous system governs voluntary movements and sensory information, involving actions that are under conscious control, such as moving your arms or legs. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord and is where processing and integration of information occur. The term "peripheral nervous system" pertains to all the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord that connect the central nervous system to limbs and organs, but it is not specifically responsible for the involuntary functions controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Thus, the correct answer highlights the specific system that manages these essential bodily functions autonomously.