Which division of the nervous system controls involuntary functions such as heartbeat and digestion?

• A. Autonomic Nervous System
• B. Somatic Nervous System
• C. Central Nervous System
• D. Peripheral Nervous System

Answer: (A)

Automatic bodily regulation is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. This system handles involuntary processes like heart rate, digestion, and gland activity, operating largely without conscious control. It has two main branches—sympathetic, which prepares the body for action by increasing heart rate and slowing digestion, and parasympathetic, which promotes rest and digestion by slowing the heart and stimulating digestive activity. The somatic nervous system governs voluntary movements and sensory signals, the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) is the processing center, and the peripheral nervous system includes all nerves outside the CNS. Because heartbeat and digestion happen automatically and are modulated by these automatic pathways, the autonomic nervous system is the correct choice.