14.3 A reflex arc

Question 1

central nervous system

Answer 1

brain and spinal cord

Question 2

peripheral nervous system

Answer 2

made up of pairs of nerves that originate from either the brain or spinal cord

split into sensory neurones or motor neurons

Question 3

sensory neurons

Answer 3

carry nerve impulses(electrical signals) from receptors towards the CNS

Question 4

motor neurons

Answer 4

carry nerve impulses from CNS to effectors

divided into voluntary nervous system and autonomic nervous system

Question 5

voluntary nervous system

Answer 5

carries nerve impulses to body muscles and is under voluntary control

Question 6

autonomic nervous system

Answer 6

carries nerve impulses to glands, smooth muscle and cardiac muscle

not under voluntary control

Question 7

spinal cord

Answer 7

column of nervus tissue that runs along back

lies inside vertebral column for protection

Question 8

reflex arc

Answer 8

involuntary response to a sensory stimulus

Question 9

spinal reflex arc

Answer 9

stimulus
receptor
sensory neurone
coordinator (intermediate neurone)
motor neurone
effector
response

Question 10

importance of reflex arcs

Answer 10

1. involuntary and don’t require brain power, so it isn’t overloaded and is free for more complex responses.
2. protect the body from harm
3. fast- neurone pathway is very short with very few synapses
4. absence of decision-making process means the action is rapid

Question 11

synapse

Answer 11

where neurones communicate
-slowest link in neurone pathway