Question

Which of the following pairings is correct? A. Sensory nerves - afferent B. Motor nerves-afferent C. Sensory nerves-ventral D. Motor nerves-dorsal

Short answer

A. Sensory nerves - afferent

Step-by-step solution

Understand the meanings of 'sensory' and 'motor' nerves

Sensory nerves are responsible for carrying sensory information from the body to the central nervous system (CNS). Motor nerves carry commands from the CNS to muscles to execute movement.

Define 'afferent' and 'efferent'

Afferent nerves are those that carry sensory signals towards the CNS. Efferent nerves carry signals away from the CNS to trigger actions in muscles or glands.

Identify correct pairings

Since sensory nerves carry information to the CNS, they are afferent. Therefore, the correct pairing is 'Sensory nerves - afferent'.

Confirm by process of elimination

Double-check the other options: 'Motor nerves-afferent' is incorrect because motor nerves are efferent. 'Sensory nerves-ventral' and 'Motor nerves-dorsal' do not refer to how these nerves function.

Key concepts

Sensory Nerves

Sensory nerves play a crucial role in our nervous system. They carry sensory information such as touch, pain, temperature, and other sensations from different parts of the body to the central nervous system (CNS). When you touch a hot surface, sensory nerves send signals to your brain to make you react quickly. Without these nerves, we wouldn't be able to sense and react to our environment efficiently.

Sensory nerves are also called afferent nerves because they always send information towards the CNS. This pathway is essential for our body's ability to perceive and respond to various stimuli. Learning about sensory nerves helps us understand how we interact with the world around us.

Motor Nerves

Motor nerves are just as important as sensory nerves. They carry signals from the central nervous system to muscles and glands, causing them to act. For example, when you decide to pick up a cup, motor nerves send the necessary commands from your brain to your hand muscles to execute the movement.

Unlike sensory nerves, motor nerves are called efferent nerves because they transmit signals away from the CNS. These pathways are crucial for initiating and controlling voluntary and involuntary movements in our body. Understanding motor nerves helps us appreciate how our brain controls our body's actions.

Afferent and Efferent Pathways

The terms 'afferent' and 'efferent' refer to the direction of signal transmission in the nervous system.

Afferent pathways carry sensory information towards the central nervous system. This is why sensory nerves, which detect stimuli like temperature and pain, are afferent. When sensory information reaches the CNS through afferent pathways, it processes these signals to help us respond appropriately.

Efferent pathways carry commands from the CNS to the rest of the body. Motor nerves fall into this category because they transmit instructions to muscles, telling them to contract or relax. This pathway ensures that our brain can control bodily actions with precision.

Knowing the difference between afferent and efferent pathways enhances our understanding of how the nervous system operates as a whole.