In a negative feedback loop, the signal from receptor to control center travels along which pathway, and the signal from the control center to the effector travels along which pathway?

In a negative feedback loop, the signal from receptor to control center travels along which pathway, and the signal from the control center to the effector travels along which pathway?

• A. Afferent pathway; Efferent pathway
• B. Efferent pathway; Afferent pathway
• C. Sensory pathway; Descending pathway
• D. Descending pathway; Sensory pathway

Answer: (A)

In a negative feedback loop, information moves toward the brain or spinal cord from the body via an afferent pathway. This is the signal from the receptor to the control center, letting the nervous system know what’s happening. After processing, the control center sends a corrective command away from the central nervous system through an efferent pathway to the appropriate effector (like a gland or muscle) to oppose the change and bring the system back toward the set point. So the first leg is afferent, the second leg is efferent.

In a negative feedback loop, information moves toward the brain or spinal cord from the body via an afferent pathway. This is the signal from the receptor to the control center, letting the nervous system know what’s happening. After processing, the control center sends a corrective command away from the central nervous system through an efferent pathway to the appropriate effector (like a gland or muscle) to oppose the change and bring the system back toward the set point. So the first leg is afferent, the second leg is efferent.