What does the autonomic nervous system control?

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions, which include processes such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion, and the body's response to stress. It operates largely unconsciously and is divided into two main components: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic system prepares the body for ‘fight or flight’ responses, while the parasympathetic system promotes ‘rest and digest’ activities. This system is crucial for maintaining homeostasis in the body by managing functions that do not require conscious thought or voluntary control.

In contrast, voluntary muscle movements are governed by the somatic nervous system, which is responsible for activities under conscious control. Memory and learning processes are primarily associated with cognitive functions of the brain, while conscious breathing is managed through both voluntary control and autonomic processes in varying degrees, but it is not a primary function of the autonomic nervous system.