The functions of the five senses are controlled by which division of the nervous system?

The correct choice relates to the Central Nervous System, which includes the brain and spinal cord. The Central Nervous System plays a crucial role in processing sensory information and coordinating responses to it. Specifically, the brain interprets signals received from sensory receptors, allowing us to perceive and respond to our environment through sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.

This system is integral for integrating sensory input, making decisions based on that information, and sending signals back out through the rest of the nervous system to initiate responses. For example, when you touch something hot, sensory neurons send signals to the brain, which then processes this information and sends messages back out to muscles to withdraw the hand.

In contrast, the Autonomic Nervous System primarily regulates involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate and digestion, while the Peripheral Nervous System consists of the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that convey signals to and from the Central Nervous System. The Enteric Nervous System governs the function of the gastrointestinal system and is often referred to as the "second brain," but it does not manage sensory functions directly. Thus, the Central Nervous System is the key division responsible for controlling the functions of the five senses.