Final answer:
The division of Congress into two separate bodies is called bicameralism, which involves two chambers working together to pass legislation and serves to ensure thorough deliberation and prevent hasty laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The division of Congress into two separate bodies is known as bicameralism. This structure means that the legislature consists of two separate chambers, often with distinct responsibilities and powers, that must collaborate to pass laws and exercise legislative authority. A bicameral legislature serves multiple purposes: it ensures a more thorough deliberation of proposed laws, represents different segments of society, and creates a built-in 'veto point' to prevent hasty legislation. By contrast, unicameralism refers to a legislature with only one chamber, which is often considered to be more efficient but lacks the same level of oversight and checks and balances provided by a bicameral system.