What is the difference between afferent and efferent neurons what are interneurons

That is, the afferent neurons have short axons compared to the efferent neurons, which have long axons. The below infographic tabulates the difference between afferent and efferent neurons with more details. Afferent and efferent neurons are two major types of neurons present in the nervous system. Afferent neurons bring nerve impulses generated by the sensory organs to the central nervous system. Receptors of the sensory organs receive external stimuli and generate into nerve impulses and send to the brain and spinal cord by the afferent neurons, which are sensory neurons.

Therefore, they send signals in one direction. On the other hand, efferent neurons start from the central nervous system and carry nerve impulses from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands. They are motor neurons. This is the difference between afferent and efferent neuron.

Available here. Samanthi Udayangani holds a B. Degree in Plant Science, M. Efferent: Efferent neurons are the neurons that carry motor impulses away from the CNS.

Afferent: Afferent neurons are also known as sensory neurons. Efferent: Efferent neurons are also known as motor neurons. Afferent: Afferent neurons carry signal from sensory organs to the CNS. Efferent: Efferent neurons carry signal from the CNS to effector organs and tissues. Afferent: Afferent neurons consist of a short axon. Efferent: Efferent neurons consist of a long axon. Afferent: Afferent neurons consist of a receptor. Efferent: Efferent neurons lack a receptor. Afferent: Cell body of the afferent neuron is situated in the dorsal root ganglion of the spinal cord and no dendrites are found in it.

Efferent: Cell body of the efferent neuron is situated in the ventral root ganglion of the spinal cord and consists of dendrites. Afferent: Afferent neuron consists of one long dendron. Efferent: Efferent neuron consists of many short dendrons. Afferent: Afferent neurons carry signals from the outer part of the body into the central nervous system.

Signaling between afferent and efferent neurons occurs through interneurons. One of the most common types of neuron in the central nervous system is the multipolar neuron. This type of neuron consists of the soma , or cell body, an axon, and three or more dendrites. The soma is the largest part of the neuron and is where many different processes occur.

Attached to the cell body are dendrites, which receive signals from other neurons, and a long axon that separates into a few branches. Located on these branches are terminal buttons which send signals and form synapses with other neurons. A number of anatomically neuron types have evolved to participate in different organismal functions. Neurons are electrically excitable cells that are the structural unit of the nervous system. A typical neuron consists of a cell body and neuronal processes such as dendrites and axon.

The dendrites are short, tapering extensions that are the receptive regions and help in conveying incoming messages towards the cell body. Axons arise from a cone-shaped area of the cell body called axon hillock.

These extensions are the conducting region of the neuron. Nerve impulses are generated in the axon and transmitted away from the cell body towards the synapse. The cell body is the major biosynthetic center of the neuron. It contains neurotransmitters and other organelles needed to synthesize proteins and chemicals. The cell body is the focal point for the outgrowth of neuronal process during embryonic development.

A number of anatomically distinct types of neurons have evolved to participate in different organismal functions. For example, sensory neurons respond to touch, sound, light, and other sensory inputs.

Motor neurons receive signals from the brain and spinal cord to initiate muscle contractions and affect glands. Interneurons act as relays between neurons in close proximity to one another. Neurotransmission at a Chemical Synapse : A signal propagating down an axon to the cell body and dendrites of the next cell.