Final answer:
The peripheral nervous system consists of the nerves that go out of the spinal cord to muscles and organs. It acts as a communication relay between the central nervous system and the rest of the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nervous system is divided into two major parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS consists of all the nervous tissue that lies outside of the CNS, including the nerves that go out of the spinal cord to muscles and organs. These nerves, called peripheral nerves, act as communication relays between the CNS and the rest of the body.
For example, when a person starts to fall off a scooter, their nervous system senses the imbalance and sends messages from the brain to muscles in the body, allowing the person to react and regain balance. This coordination between the nervous system, muscular system, and skeletal system is crucial for proper functioning of the body.