Alberta Written Barber Practice Exam

What additional component is part of the nervous system alongside the central and peripheral nervous systems?

1. Somatic nervous system

2. Sympathetic nervous system

3. Autonomic nervous system

4. Cerebral nervous system

The correct answer is: Autonomic nervous system

The correct answer highlights the role of the autonomic nervous system, which is a crucial component of the overall nervous system in addition to the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for regulating involuntary body functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and digestive processes. This system operates subconsciously to maintain homeostasis, managing functions that are not under our conscious control. In the context of the broader nervous system, the central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system includes all the nerves that branch out from the central nervous system to the rest of the body. Within the peripheral nervous system, the autonomic nervous system further divides into its branches: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic nervous system typically prepares the body for intense physical activity, while the parasympathetic nervous system controls the body's rest and digest functions. Understanding the integral function of the autonomic nervous system emphasizes its importance in maintaining the body's involuntary processes and illustrates how it works in tandem with both the central and peripheral nervous systems to ensure proper physiological functioning. The other options represent specific parts or functions within the nervous system but do not encompass the