Final answer:
When attentively listening to a lecture, an afferent neuron in the auditory system is employed to carry information from the ears to the central nervous system. These neurons utilized in the auditory pathway allow the perception of the lecture content which is further influenced by individual differences in genetics and attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
When listening attentively to a lecture, the type of sensory neuron that will be employed is an afferent neuron, specifically related to the auditory system. This neuron is responsible for carrying information from the sensory receptors in the ears to the central nervous system.
The process begins with sound waves entering the ear and being transduced by the cochlea's hair cells into nerve impulses. These impulses are then transmitted along the vestibulocochlear nerve to the cochlear nuclei of the superior medulla in the brain stem. From there, the information is processed to determine not only the frequency and pitch of the sound but also its location, allowing us to perceive the lecture as meaningful speech/information.
It's important to note that the sensitivity and perception of sound can be affected by individual differences in genetics, as well as by attention. This means that even though the sensory information is received, what an individual actually perceives can depend on the focus of their attention during the lecture.