the portion of the nervous system that controls involuntary activities is a subdivision of the _______ nervous system?

a) sympathetic
b) central
c)peripheral
d) parasympathetic

To find the answer to this question, we need to understand the different components of the nervous system and how they are connected.

The nervous system is divided into two main parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS includes all the nerves outside of the CNS.

Now, let's look at the options:

a) Sympathetic: The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's response to stress or danger. It controls the "fight or flight" response and works in conjunction with the parasympathetic system. It is not the correct answer.

b) Central: The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord. It is not the correct answer because the question is asking for a subdivision of the nervous system.

c) Peripheral: The peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of the nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body. This includes the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls involuntary actions of various organs. Therefore, the answer might be the peripheral nervous system.

d) Parasympathetic: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's rest and digest response. It works in conjunction with the sympathetic system. While the parasympathetic nervous system is a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system, it is not the overall subdivision being referred to in this question.

Based on the descriptions and the question, the correct answer is c) peripheral.

In conclusion, the portion of the nervous system that controls involuntary activities is a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system (PNS).