Objective 3 - Neurons & Reflex Arcs*

The axon is the long, middle part of a neuron. It is responsible for transmitting electrical impulses away from the cell body towards other neurons, muscles, or glands. The axon is covered by a fatty substance called myelin, which helps to insulate and speed up the transmission of the electrical signals. Axons can vary in length, with some extending over long distances within the body.

If someone is able to move their leg but cannot feel it, it suggests that there might be damage to their sensory nerves. Sensory nerves are responsible for transmitting sensations such as touch, temperature, and pain from the body to the brain. When these nerves are damaged, the person may lose their ability to feel sensations in the affected area, even though they can still move their muscles. This is different from motor nerve damage, which would affect the person's ability to move their leg altogether.

Sensory neurons are responsible for sending information from sensory receptors to the brain. They are specialized to detect various types of stimuli such as touch, temperature, pain, and light, and transmit this information to the central nervous system. This allows the brain to process and interpret the sensory input, resulting in appropriate responses and actions.

Motor neurons are responsible for transmitting messages from the brain to the muscles, instructing them to move. These specialized neurons are part of the peripheral nervous system and play a crucial role in controlling voluntary muscle movements. Sensory neurons, on the other hand, transmit information from sensory receptors to the brain, while interneurons facilitate communication between different neurons within the central nervous system.