Final answer:
Among the options provided, the facial nerve (CN VII) contains preganglionic parasympathetic fibers. These fibers control functions such as secretion from the lacrimal and salivary glands.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student question pertains to the functional roles of cranial nerves, specifically which ones contain preganglionic parasympathetic fibers. Among the twelve cranial nerves, the olfactory nerve (CN I) and optic nerve (CN II) are purely sensory, with no motor or autonomic functions. The abducens nerve (CN VI) is a motor nerve that controls eye movement. It is the facial nerve (CN VII), among the options provided, that contains preganglionic parasympathetic fibers, which control functions such as lacrimation and salivary gland secretion. Moreover, beyond the options provided, the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and the vagus nerve (CN X) also contain preganglionic parasympathetic fibers. The preganglionic fibers of these nerves are associated with various ganglia such as the ciliary ganglion, pterygopalatine ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, and play a key role in numerous autonomic functions.