Final answer:
The central nervous system (CNS) of vertebrates is composed of the brain and spinal cord, with nerves being part of the peripheral nervous system and glia as supportive cells within the CNS.
Step-by-step explanation:
The component of the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) among the options provided by the student is the brain and the spinal cord. The CNS consists of these two primary components. The brain serves as the control center for the body, processing sensory information and responding to various stimuli. The spinal cord acts as a communication highway between the brain and the rest of the body, facilitating the flow of neural signals. Nerves, although a part of the nervous system, are actually part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), while glia are the supportive cells within the CNS.