Final answer:
The autonomic nervous system, part of the peripheral nervous system, regulates involuntary body functions and maintains homeostasis through its sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is responsible for involuntary activities such as breathing, is a division of the peripheral nervous system. It controls several functions in the body, often without conscious awareness or voluntary control. The ANS is crucial for homeostasis, or the regulation of the body's internal environment, by managing processes like heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, and sexual arousal. This system can further be subdivided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which work collaboratively to maintain the body's balance.
The sympathetic nervous system is chiefly involved in preparing the body for stress-related activities, while the parasympathetic nervous system helps the body to return to a normal state after the stress has passed. An example of autonomic function during the physiological changes seen during exercise includes increased heart rate and sweating, which are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, demonstrating its role in managing involuntary activities.