Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

Which structure helps in the transmission of sensory input to the brain?

1. Muscles

2. Spinal cord

3. Nerves

4. Hormones

The correct answer is: Nerves

Nerves play a crucial role in the transmission of sensory input to the brain. They are specialized structures that conduct electrical impulses throughout the body, facilitating communication between the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system. When sensory receptors detect stimuli, they convert this information into electrical signals that travel via sensory neurons—part of the nerves—toward the spinal cord and ultimately to the brain for processing. This allows for the perception of sensations such as touch, temperature, pain, and more. While muscles are responsible for movement and the spinal cord serves as a significant pathway for signals between the brain and the body, they do not directly transmit sensory information. Hormones, on the other hand, are involved in regulating bodily functions and responses but are not part of the sensory transmission pathway. Therefore, nerves are the correct and specific structures required for sensory input transmission to the brain.