Which part of the peripheral nervous system is responsible for transmitting sensory information to the central nervous system?

The part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for transmitting sensory information to the central nervous system is indeed the somatic nervous system. This system is primarily involved in conveying sensory data from sensory receptors in the skin, muscles, and joints to the brain and spinal cord. It includes afferent neurons that carry signals related to touch, pain, temperature, and proprioception, facilitating the perception of external stimuli.

The somatic nervous system contrasts with the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate and digestion, and does not primarily handle sensory information. The peripheral nervous system encompasses both the somatic and autonomic systems but does not directly perform the function of relaying sensory data on its own. The central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, processes that sensory information but is not responsible for its transmission.