- A It is sometimes mistakenly thought to control all conscious thought processes largely independent of the cerebral cortex itself
- B It contains ~500 million neurons and can control digestion independently of CNS (two nerve plexuses: myenteric and submucosal)
- C It is reported to store the majority of an organism's long-term declarative memories permanently
- D It is simply located anatomically very close in proximity to the brain structure itself
Correct answer: B. It contains ~500 million neurons and can control digestion independently of CNS (two nerve plexuses: myenteric and submucosal)
Explanation: Enteric NS: ~500 million neurons in myenteric plexus (motility) and submucosal plexus (secretion/blood flow). It can regulate digestion autonomously without CNS input.
Concept context
Brain, spinal cord, neurons, reflex arcs, and sense organs.