Final answer:
The afferent signals for peristalsis are from sensory neurons that detect stomach stretching, and efferent signals are from the myenteric plexus of the enteric nervous system, coordinating the muscle contractions for peristalsis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The afferent nerves for peristalsis involve the sensory neurons that detect the stretching of the stomach walls as food enters, while the efferent nerves are part of the enteric nervous system, particularly the myenteric plexus, which controls the muscular contractions that propel food through the gastrointestinal tract. In peristalsis, as food moves from the esophagus and enters the stomach, it triggers these afferent signals that inform the enteric nervous system to generate efferent signals prompting muscular contractions. These contractions ensure the food moves further along the tract, from the stomach through the small intestine for further digestion.
Specifically, the muscles in the walls of the esophagus and stomach contract rhythmically in a wave-like motion, which is unidirectional from the mouth towards the anus. This motion, called peristalsis, cannot normally reverse except during vomiting. Both the myenteric and submucosal plexuses of the enteric nervous system coordinate this process.
The afferent signals for peristalsis originate from sensory neurons detecting stomach stretch, and the efferent signals come from the myenteric plexus, part of the enteric nervous system. This system coordinates the peristaltic muscle contractions in the gastrointestinal tract.