Final answer:
The somatic nervous system is responsible for voluntary control over body movements, such as muscle contractions during activities, reflex actions, and certain automatic functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The function of the somatic nervous system (SNS) is to carry messages that control body movements and to handle voluntary activities initiated by the cerebral cortex. When engaging in voluntary muscle movements, such as playing an instrument or a sport, it is the somatic nervous system at work. While the term voluntary suggests conscious control, some somatic functions occur without conscious thought, like automatic breathing or reflex actions.
The somatic nervous system is distinct from the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which manages involuntary functions affecting cardiac and smooth muscle tissues, as well as glandular secretions. However, there can be crossover in sensory and integrative functions of somatic and autonomic systems. Understanding the precise roles and coordination within the nervous system underscores the principle of localization of function, shedding light on how specific structures within the system carry out specific functions.