Final answer:
The Somatic Nervous System enables voluntary movements and reflex actions, while the Autonomic Nervous System controls involuntary functions via its sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, both integrating through the spinal cord.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Somatic Nervous System (SNS) orchestrates voluntary movements through control over skeletal muscles, relying on sensory information to guide these movements. Sensory neurons receive stimuli from the environment which trigger motor responses originating in the central nervous system (CNS). An example is touching a hot surface, which prompts a reflexive withdrawal of the hand, a response coordinated by the SNS. The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), comprising the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, regulates involuntary functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate. The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for 'fight-or-flight' situations, while the parasythetic system promotes 'rest and digest' activities.
The spinal cord plays a critical role in both systems. It facilitates the transfer of sensory information up to the brain and motor commands down to the body for the SNS and serves as a pathway for the reflex actions of the ANS.