Which system is comprised of the brain and spinal cord and is primarily responsible for maintaining life?

The central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord, plays a crucial role in maintaining life by processing information and coordinating bodily functions. The brain is responsible for higher-level processes, including thought, emotion, and decision-making, while the spinal cord serves as a vital conduit for messages between the brain and the rest of the body. This system is integral to controlling essential life functions such as heartbeat, respiration, and reflexes.

In contrast, the peripheral nervous system consists of all the nerves branching out from the brain and spinal cord, serving to connect the central nervous system to limbs and organs but does not itself maintain life. The autonomic nervous system is a component of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions like heart rate and digestion, but is not primarily responsible for overall life maintenance. The somatic nervous system is involved with voluntary movements and sensory information but does not maintain life in the way that the central nervous system does. Thus, the central nervous system is the key system responsible for life maintenance.