What are the two main components of the central nervous system?

The central nervous system (CNS) is comprised of two primary components: the brain and the spinal cord. The brain serves as the control center for processing information and coordinating activities, while the spinal cord acts as a critical pathway for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Together, these components enable the nervous system to carry out its functions, including sensory perception, motor control, and cognitive processes.

Other options do not accurately represent the main components of the CNS. Cranial and spinal nerves are part of the peripheral nervous system, which connects the CNS to the limbs and organs. The cerebellum and cerebrum are parts of the brain itself, not the entire CNS. Heart and lungs are organs related to the circulatory and respiratory systems, which are not components of the nervous system at all.