What is the Difference Between Sensory and Motor Neurons?

The main difference between sensory and motor neurons lies in their functions and structures. Both types of neurons play crucial roles in the nervous system, enabling the central nervous system to coordinate various functions in the body. Here are the key differences between sensory and motor neurons:

• Function: Sensory neurons carry signals from the outer parts of the body (periphery) into the central nervous system, while motor neurons (also known as motoneurons) carry signals from the central nervous system to the outer parts (muscles, skin, glands) of the body.
• Structure: Sensory neurons are unipolar, meaning they have a single axon that connects to a cell body and dendrites on both ends. Motor neurons, on the other hand, are multipolar with one axon and several dendrites. They control muscle contractions and have a cell body on one end, a long axon in the middle, and dendrites on the other end.
• Physical Location: Sensory neurons are located in the dorsal root ganglion of the spinal nerve, while motor neurons are located in the ventral root ganglion of the spinal cord.

In summary, sensory neurons are responsible for transmitting sensory information from the periphery to the central nervous system, while motor neurons transmit instructions from the central nervous system to effectors, such as muscles and glands, to produce a response.

Comparative Table: Sensory vs Motor Neurons

Here is a table comparing the differences between sensory and motor neurons:

Sensory neurons are responsible for detecting sensory stimuli from the environment and transmitting signals to the central nervous system (CNS). Motor neurons, on the other hand, transmit signals from the CNS to the muscles and glands, enabling voluntary and involuntary movements. While both types of neurons are involved in the transmission of signals, their functions and structures differ significantly.