What does the central nervous system consist of?

The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord, which serve as the main control center for processing information and coordinating responses in the body. The brain is responsible for higher functions such as thought, memory, emotion, and coordination of movement, while the spinal cord acts as a pathway for signals between the brain and the rest of the body, including reflex actions. This structural organization is essential for maintaining homeostasis and enabling complex behaviors, making the identification of the brain and spinal cord as the central nervous system anatomically and functionally correct.

In contrast, other options include components that do not solely represent the central nervous system. For example, peripheral nerves are part of the peripheral nervous system, and sensory organs do not fit within the definition of the central nervous system as they primarily function to receive stimuli rather than process them. The cerebellum and brain stem, while part of the brain, do not encompass the entire central nervous system, which must include both the brain in its entirety and the spinal cord.