Which nervous system is responsible for voluntary movements?

The somatic nervous system is responsible for voluntary movements, as it specifically controls skeletal muscles. This allows individuals to perform conscious, intentional actions such as walking, picking up objects, or waving. The somatic nervous system encompasses motor neurons that send signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, enabling precise movement.

In contrast, the autonomic nervous system functions involuntarily, managing automatic body processes like heart rate and digestion without conscious control. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord and plays a crucial role in processing information, but it does not directly control movements on its own. The peripheral nervous system consists of all the nerves outside the central nervous system, including both the somatic and autonomic systems; it facilitates communication between the central nervous system and the rest of the body but is not solely responsible for voluntary movements. Thus, the somatic nervous system is the correct choice for the control of voluntary muscle movements.