What part of the nervous system governs voluntary activities of the body?

The somatic nervous system is responsible for governing voluntary activities of the body. This component of the peripheral nervous system enables the brain to control skeletal muscles, which are involved in activities such as walking, talking, and moving your arms and legs. It allows for conscious control over muscle movement, distinguishing it from the autonomic nervous system, which manages involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion. Similarly, the central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, and while it processes information and coordinates actions, it is the somatic nervous system that specifically deals with voluntary motor control. The sensory nervous system, on the other hand, is responsible for transmitting sensory information from the body to the central nervous system but does not govern voluntary activities. Thus, the somatic nervous system is the correct answer, as it plays a direct role in facilitating voluntary motor functions.