Final answer:
The autonomic nervous system controls day-to-day bodily functions through its two subdivisions: the sympathetic division for fight-or-flight responses and the parasympathetic division for restful and digestive functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The autonomic nervous system division controls ordinary, day-to-day bodily functions. This division of the peripheral nervous system manages involuntary activities that are essential for maintaining homeostasis. It is composed of two subdivisions: the sympathetic division, which activates the fight-or-flight response during stressful situations, and the parasympathetic division, which oversees the body's rest-and-digest activities and restores the body to a state of calm. During exercise, for instance, the sympathetic division is responsible for physiological changes like increased heart rate and sweating. In contrast, the parasympathetic division dominates when the body is at rest, handling functions like digestion and conserving energy.