What are the differences between sensory and motor neurons?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Sensory Neurons

Motor Neurons

Definition

Are a type of neuron that transmits sensory impulses from sensory organs and receptors to the central nervous system

Are a type of neuron that
transmit motor impulses from the central nervous system to different muscles and glands

Location

Found in eyes, ears, skin, nose, and tongue

Found mainly in muscles and gland

Morphology

Are unipolar

Are multipolar

Axon length

Consist of a short axon

Consist of a long axon

Presence of Receptor

Consist of a receptor

Receptor is absent

Location of cell bodies

Cell bodies are located in specialized structures called ganglia, which are present outside the central nervous system

Cell bodies are typically located within the brainstem and the spinal cord inside the central nervous system

Functions

Detect sensory stimuli from outside the body and transmit the stimuli to the central nervous system

Receive signals from the central nervous system and initiate appropriate muscle contractions or control involuntary functions

Pathway

Follow the afferent pathway

Follow the efferent pathway

Abundance in the human body

An adult has around 10 million sensory neurons in the body

Around half million of motor neurons are found in the body

Basis of differentiation	Sensory Neurons	Motor Neurons
Definition	Are a type of neuron that transmits sensory impulses from sensory organs and receptors to the central nervous system	Are a type of neuron that transmit motor impulses from the central nervous system to different muscles and glands
Location	Found in eyes, ears, skin, nose, and tongue	Found mainly in muscles and gland
Morphology	Are unipolar	Are multipolar
Axon length	Consist of a short axon	Consist of a long axon
Presence of Receptor	Consist of a receptor	Receptor is absent
Location of cell bodies	Cell bodies are located in specialized structures called ganglia, which are present outside the central nervous system	Cell bodies are typically located within the brainstem and the spinal cord inside the central nervous system
Functions	Detect sensory stimuli from outside the body and transmit the stimuli to the central nervous system	Receive signals from the central nervous system and initiate appropriate muscle contractions or control involuntary functions
Pathway	Follow the afferent pathway	Follow the efferent pathway
Abundance in the human body	An adult has around 10 million sensory neurons in the body	Around half million of motor neurons are found in the body