What best describes the peripheral nervous system?

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is fundamentally responsible for connecting the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, to the limbs and organs. This system is made up of all the nerves that lie outside the central nervous system.

By serving as a communication relay between the brain and other parts of the body, the PNS facilitates both voluntary movements in the limbs and involuntary actions regarding internal organs. This aspect of connecting the spinal cord to limbs and organs underscores the PNS's role in enabling the brain to send signals to and receive information from the body, allowing for coordinated physical responses and sensory processing.

While the other descriptions touch on functions related to the nervous system, such as integrating sensory information, controlling automatic functions, and connecting the brain to organs, they do not capture the core idea of the PNS’s role in connecting the spinal cord specifically to both limbs and organs. Thus, the emphasis on the connection of the spinal cord highlights a key feature of the peripheral nervous system’s structure and function.