Which of the following best describes sensory neurons?

Sensory neurons are specialized nerve cells responsible for transmitting signals from sensory receptors located throughout the body to the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord. This function is crucial because it allows the body to perceive and respond to various stimuli such as touch, temperature, pain, and visual information. By relaying this information, sensory neurons enable the brain to interpret the external environment, facilitating appropriate responses and interactions.

The other options do not accurately describe the role of sensory neurons. While contracting muscles is a function of motor neurons, connecting different parts of the brain pertains to interneurons, and controlling involuntary actions is managed by autonomic functions, which also involve different types of neurons. Hence, the best description of sensory neurons is that they transmit signals from the body to the central nervous system.