IGCSE Biology glossary
Sensory neurone
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Definition
A neurone that carries nerve impulses from a receptor (such as a pain receptor in the skin) to the central nervous system (brain or spinal cord). It has a long dendron connecting the receptor to the cell body, and a short axon entering the CNS.
What to include in an exam answer
In reflex arc questions, the order is: stimulus, receptor, sensory neurone, relay neurone (in the CNS), motor neurone, effector, response. Sensory neurones carry impulses TO the CNS.
Example in context
Describe the role of a sensory neurone in a reflex arc (2 marks): The sensory neurone carries the nerve impulse from the receptor to the central nervous system (spinal cord), where it connects with a relay neurone.
Related syllabus topic
Coordination & responseRelated terms
- Homeostasis
- Negative feedback
- Tropism
- Reflex arc
- ADH
- Insulin
- Glucagon
- Adrenaline
- Synapse
- Neurone
- Motor 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