Let me share with you a comparison between Somatic and Autonomic Nervous system.
| Aspect | Somatic Nervous System | Autonomic Nervous System |
| Nature of control | · Voluntary control | · Involuntary control |
| Function | · Responsible for conscious perception and voluntary motor responses. | · Regulates unconscious bodily functions, such as heart rate, digestion and respiration. |
| Nervous Pathways | · Consists of a single motor neuron from the CNS to the target muscle. | · Involves a two-neuron chain: a preganglionic neuron in the CNS and a postganglionic neuron in the autonomic ganglia. |
| Effect on Target Organs | · Direct and usually excitatory effect on skeletal muscles. | · Can have excitatory or inhibitory effects on target organs, depending on the division (sympathetic or parasympathetic) and the specific situation. |
| Divisions | · Only one division | · Sympathetic · Parasympathetic nervous systems. |
| Role in Stress Response | · Not involved | · Activates during stress or emergencies to prepare the body for action. |
| Examples of disorders | · ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) | · Hypertension |