Final answer:
The peripheral nervous system is responsible for sending and receiving signals to and from the brain, essentially operating as a communication network that connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is indeed responsible for both sending signals to the brain and receiving signals from it. The role of the PNS can be likened to a network of wires that connect the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, to the rest of the body. These 'wires' or nerves facilitate the transmission of electrical signals throughout the body, as evidenced by the sensory-somatic and autonomic nervous systems. The sensory-somatic nervous system transmits sensory information from the skin, muscles, and sensory organs to the CNS and sends motor signals to muscles. On the other hand, the autonomic nervous system controls involuntary bodily functions.