What system of the nervous system is primarily responsible for reflex actions?

The somatic nervous system is primarily responsible for reflex actions because it involves the pathways that control voluntary movements and involuntary responses. Reflex actions are rapid and automatic responses to stimuli that do not require input from the brain; instead, they are managed by neural circuits known as reflex arcs. These arcs typically involve sensory neurons that convey information from the sensory receptors to the spinal cord, where they synapse with motor neurons that relay the signals back to the muscles, causing a swift response.

While the central nervous system plays a significant role in processing and integrating sensory information, and the peripheral nervous system connects the central nervous system to the limbs and organs, reflex actions are specifically coordinated by the pathways of the somatic nervous system. This system ensures that reflexes can occur efficiently and almost instantaneously, such as when you touch a hot surface and quickly withdraw your hand. The sympathetic nervous system, a component of the autonomic nervous system, is more involved in the body's fight or flight responses and is generally not responsible for the coordination of reflex actions.