OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

Along which type of neuron does the central nervous system send information to the effector?

1. Sensory neurone

2. Motor neurone

3. Interneurone

4. Afferent neurone

The correct answer is: Motor neurone

The correct choice indicates that the motor neurone is responsible for transmitting information from the central nervous system (CNS) to effectors, such as muscles or glands. Motor neurones carry signals that lead to a response or action, facilitating movement or the secretion of substances. When the CNS receives sensory input from sensory neurones, it processes this information and then sends signals through motor neurones to initiate an appropriate response in an effector, such as contracting a muscle for movement or stimulating a gland to release hormones. This pathway is essential for coordinating and executing actions based on the sensory information received from the environment. The other types of neurones mentioned serve different functions: sensory neurones convey information from sensory receptors to the CNS; interneurones connect different neurones within the CNS, often playing a role in reflex actions or processing information; and afferent neurones also refer to sensory neurones that carry signals to the CNS. Hence, they do not fulfil the role of conveying commands to effectors, which is why motor neurones are specifically identified as the correct answer.