Final answer:
Dorsal roots carry sensory signals from the body to the brain and spinal cord, transmitted by the axons of sensory neurons within these roots.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dorsal roots of the spinal nerves carry sensory signals toward the brain and spinal cord. Within the spinal nerve structure, the dorsal root contains only the axons of sensory neurons, which transmit information such as touch, pain, and temperature from the sensory receptors in the body to the brain.
These sensory signals travel through the dorsal roots into the central nervous system, where they are processed. Conversely, the ventral roots are responsible for conveying motor signals from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands.