Which system of nerves is responsible for carrying impulses or messages to and from the central nervous system?

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is responsible for carrying impulses or messages to and from the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord. The PNS acts as a communication network that connects the CNS to the limbs and organs, enabling the body to respond to stimuli and perform various functions. It includes sensory nerves that carry information to the CNS and motor nerves that send directions from the CNS to muscles and glands, allowing for coordinated action and reaction.

The other systems mentioned, such as the central nervous system, govern overall processing and signal integration but do not directly facilitate the communication pathways to and from the rest of the body. The autonomic nervous system is a subset of the PNS that specifically controls involuntary functions, while the spinal nervous system pertains to the specific nerves associated with the spinal cord, but does not encompass the full range of peripheral nerve functions. Thus, the peripheral nervous system is correctly identified as the network responsible for this type of signaling.