How do sensory, relay, and motor neurons differ?

Sensory, relay, and motor neurons differ in their functions and locations within the nervous system.

Sensory neurons are responsible for detecting and transmitting sensory information from the body's sensory receptors to the central nervous system. They are located in the peripheral nervous system and have specialized endings that respond to different types of stimuli, such as light, sound, touch, and temperature. Sensory neurons are unipolar, meaning they have a single process that divides into two branches, with one branch receiving information from the sensory receptor and the other transmitting it to the central nervous system.

Relay neurons, also known as interneurons, are located entirely within the central nervous system and act as intermediaries between sensory and motor neurons. They receive information from sensory neurons and process it before transmitting it to motor neurons. Relay neurons are multipolar, meaning they have multiple dendrites and a single axon that transmits information to other neurons.

Motor neurons are responsible for transmitting motor commands from the central nervous system to the body's muscles and glands. They are located in the peripheral nervous system and have cell bodies in the spinal cord or brainstem. Motor neurons are multipolar, with multiple dendrites and a single axon that transmits information to the muscle or gland it innervates.

Overall, sensory, relay, and motor neurons work together to allow for the processing and transmission of information throughout the nervous system, enabling the body to respond to changes in the environment and carry out complex behaviors.