Which tissue type is primarily involved in the integration of sensory input and motor output?

Nervous tissue is the primary type involved in the integration of sensory input and motor output. This tissue is composed of neurons, which are specialized cells that transmit electrical signals throughout the body, and glial cells, which provide support and protection for neurons. Neurons receive sensory information from the environment through sensory receptors, process this information, and then transmit signals to effector organs such as muscles and glands to generate a response. This complex network enables rapid communication between different parts of the body, allowing for reflexes and coordinated movements based on sensory stimuli.

In contrast, muscular tissue is primarily responsible for movement; connective tissue supports and binds other tissues together, and epithelial tissue primarily serves as a protective layer covering body surfaces and organs. Each of these other tissue types serves vital functions but does not directly integrate sensory and motor processes the way nervous tissue does.