1 Efferent neurons (also called motor neurons) carry signals from the gray matter of the CNS through the nerves of the peripheral nervous system to effector cells. 2  The effector may be smooth, cardiac, or skeletal muscle tissue or glandular tissue. Afferent, Efferent, and Mixed Nerves. 2  Some of the nerves in the body are specialized for carrying information in only one direction, similar to a one-way street. 3  Nerves that carry information from sensory receptors to the central nervous system only are called afferent nerves.