Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

Which type of nerves are responsible for telling muscles to contract?

1. Sensory nerves

2. Motor nerves

3. Interneurons

4. Sympathetic nerves

The correct answer is: Motor nerves

Motor nerves are responsible for conveying signals from the central nervous system to the muscles, prompting them to contract. This process is essential for movement and coordination within the body. When a motor nerve sends a signal, it triggers the muscle fibers to shorten and produce movement, allowing for various actions, such as walking or grasping objects. Sensory nerves, on the other hand, are involved in transmitting sensory information from the body to the brain, such as touch, pain, and temperature. Interneurons serve as connectors between sensory and motor nerves, playing a critical role in reflex arcs and communication within the nervous system. Sympathetic nerves are part of the autonomic nervous system and primarily function in regulating involuntary bodily processes, such as heart rate and digestion, rather than directly controlling muscle contractions. Thus, motor nerves are the correct choice for the function of initiating muscle contraction.