IGCSE Biology glossary
Motor neurone
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Definition
A neurone that carries nerve impulses from the central nervous system (brain or spinal cord) to an effector, which is a muscle or gland. The motor neurone has a long axon that extends from the CNS to the effector.
What to include in an exam answer
Motor neurones carry impulses FROM the CNS to effectors. The effector carries out the response: a muscle contracts or a gland secretes. In a reflex arc, the motor neurone is the last neurone in the chain.
Example in context
Name the type of neurone that carries impulses from the spinal cord to a muscle (1 mark): Motor neurone.
Related syllabus topic
Coordination & responseRelated terms
- Homeostasis
- Negative feedback
- Tropism
- Reflex arc
- ADH
- Insulin
- Glucagon
- Adrenaline
- Synapse
- Neurone
- Sensory neurone
- Relay neurone
- Receptor
- Effector
- Cornea
- Iris
- Lens
- Retina
- Optic nerve
- Accommodation
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hormones
- Endocrine gland
- Auxin
- Thermoregulation
- Vasoconstriction
- Vasodilation
- Sweating