How do sensory organs communicate with the nervous system?

Sensory organs communicate with the nervous system through nerve impulses transmitted by sensory neurons.

Sensory organs, such as the eyes, ears, skin, tongue, and nose, are specialised to detect changes in our environment. These changes, or stimuli, can be anything from light and sound to temperature and taste. When a sensory organ detects a stimulus, it converts this physical or chemical change into an electrical signal. This process is known as transduction.

The electrical signals, or nerve impulses, are then transmitted along sensory neurons. These are a type of nerve cell that carry information from the sensory organs to the central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord. The sensory neurons have long extensions called axons, which act like electrical wires, transmitting the nerve impulses quickly and efficiently.

Once the nerve impulses reach the central nervous system, they are processed and interpreted. This allows us to perceive the world around us. For example, when light enters our eyes, it is detected by photoreceptor cells in the retina. These cells convert the light into nerve impulses, which are then transmitted along the optic nerve to the brain. The brain interprets these signals, allowing us to see.

In summary, sensory organs and the nervous system communicate through a complex process of transduction and transmission. Sensory organs detect changes in the environment and convert these into nerve impulses. These impulses are then transmitted along sensory neurons to the central nervous system, where they are processed and interpreted. This allows us to perceive and respond to our environment.