Which division of the nervous system is responsible for involuntary bodily activities?

The division of the nervous system responsible for involuntary bodily activities is the autonomic nervous system. This system regulates functions that happen automatically without conscious control, such as heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, and reflex actions. It plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in the body by managing the functions of internal organs and glands.

Involuntary activities are essential for survival, as they ensure that physiological processes continue to function irrespective of an individual's awareness or choice. The autonomic nervous system is further divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, which work together to regulate the body's responses to stress and rest.

The other options highlight divisions that are less related to involuntary functions. The cognitive nervous system is not a standard term within neurobiology. The somatic nervous system governs voluntary movements and the activities of skeletal muscles, while the peripheral nervous system encompasses all nerves outside the central nervous system, including both somatic and autonomic pathways; however, it does not specifically denote which functions are involuntary. Thus, the autonomic nervous system distinctly specifies the control of involuntary bodily activities, making it the correct choice.