Final answer:
The neuron in the ANS that runs to the target tissue is called a postganglionic neuron. It extends from a ganglion to the organ or tissue it influences. This is a key component of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems of the ANS.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the autonomic nervous system (ANS), the neuron that runs to the target tissue is known as a postganglionic neuron. This neuron begins at a ganglion, which is a cluster of nerve cell bodies outside the central nervous system, and extends to various target tissues or organs. When referring to the ANS, there are both preganglionic and postganglionic neurons. The preganglionic neuron connects the central nervous system to the ganglion, while the postganglionic neuron then proceeds from the ganglion to the target tissue. Specifically, the postganglionic fiber is the axon that projects to the target effector, which is the organ or tissue that will respond to the nerve impulse. There are differences between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, such as the length of the fibers and whether or not they are myelinated, which influences their function and speed of transmission. The correct answer to the student's question is b. Postganglionic neuron.