Final answer:
The embryonic alar plate is responsible for giving rise to structures associated with sensory functions in the spinal cord, differentiating from those of the basal plate, which are associated with motor functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The embryonic alar plate gives rise to derivatives that are typically associated with sensory functions. During the development of the spinal cord, the neural tube differentiates into the basal plate and the alar plate. The basal plate, found closest to the ventral midline, develops into the anterior parts of the spinal cord and is responsible for giving rise to motor neurons. In contrast, the alar plate, which is situated on the dorsal side, produces neurons that will eventually receive sensory input from the periphery; hence it is associated with sensory functions.
As the spinal cord matures, the cells in the neural tube proliferate and differentiate into neurons and glia, with dorsal tissues contributing to sensory functions and ventral tissues to motor functions. This embryonic development lays the foundation for the understanding of the adult brain's structure, where once again, sensory and motor functions are delineated according to the neuraxis. In human embryogenesis, the sensory division of the peripheral nervous system primarily arises from the alar plate, therefore, aligning with the broader biological principles where posterior regions correspond to sensory functionalities.