What is the main characteristic of sensory neurons?

The main characteristic of sensory neurons is their role in transmitting sensory information to the central nervous system (CNS). These neurons are responsible for conveying signals from sensory receptors, which detect stimuli such as touch, temperature, pain, and sound. Once these sensory receptors detect a stimulus, sensory neurons carry the information in the form of electrical impulses towards the CNS, where it can be processed and interpreted.

This characteristic is crucial for enabling organisms to perceive their environment and respond appropriately. For example, when you touch something hot, sensory neurons quickly relay that information to the brain, allowing you to react by pulling away your hand. Understanding this function is fundamental to grasping how the nervous system operates and how we interact with the world around us.

The other choices are not accurate representations of sensory neurons: while some neurons carry impulses away from the CNS, this describes motor neurons; enhancing muscle contraction relates to motor function rather than sensory input; and the assumption that they are only located in the brain is incorrect, as sensory neurons are distributed throughout the body to facilitate the gathering of information from various sensory modalities.