What connects receptors to the central nervous system and effectors?

The correct answer is nerves, as they serve a crucial role in connecting receptors to the central nervous system (CNS) and effectors. The nervous system is structured to carry information in the form of electrical signals between various parts of the body.

Receptors are specialized cells that detect stimuli from the environment, such as touch, light, or sound, and they generate signals in response to these stimuli. Nerves, which are composed of bundles of axons, relay these signals from the receptors to the CNS, where the information is processed, and a response is formulated.

Effectors, which include muscles and glands, are then targeted by the signal sent out from the CNS through nerves. This allows the body to respond appropriately to stimuli, such as moving a hand away from a hot surface or releasing hormones in response to certain signals.

Other options do not fulfill this role in the same manner. Muscles act upon signals but are not responsible for transmitting information from receptors to the CNS. Blood vessels are responsible for transporting blood, which contains nutrients and oxygen, but they do not connect receptors to the CNS or effectors in a signaling capacity. Cartilage serves primarily as supportive tissue in joints and does not have a role in the transmission of nerve