Final answer:
Sensory nerves, also known as afferent neurons, transmit afferent impulses to the CNS. They form part of the peripheral nervous system and are involved in converting physical stimuli into nerve impulses, which then travel to the CNS via neuron axons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sensory nerves are responsible for transmitting afferent impulses to the central nervous system (CNS). These nerves are a critical component of the peripheral nervous system, which consists of various divisions and subdivisions that communicate between the CNS and the rest of the body. Sensory nerves, or afferent neurons, carry nerve impulses from sensory receptors found in tissues and organs directly to the CNS. These impulses are the result of sensory receptors converting physical stimuli, such as touch, light, and sound, into electrical nerve impulses that travel along neuron axons.
The sensory-somatic nervous system is a specific system that involves the transmission of sensory and motor information to and from the CNS. Sensory neurons within this system direct information from sources like the skin and sensory organs to the CNS, while motor neurons return signals from the CNS to the muscles, hence are referred to as efferent fibers ("efferent" meaning "moving away from"). In contrast, sensory neurons are designated as afferent fibers ("afferent" meaning "moving toward"). It's useful to remember that efferent fibers execute exit instructions, and afferent fibers arrive with information.