1.5 Reflexes Part 2 Flashcards
What is the flexor reflex?
withdrawal of your hand from a hot object
What is the stretch reflex?
acts on opposing muscle to prevent overstretching of its antagonist
What are the five components of a reflex arc?
- receptor at the end of a sensory neurons reacting to stimuli
- sensory neurons conducts nerve impulses to the CNS
- integration center in the CNS
- motor neurons conducts nerve impulse from CNS to effector
- effector responds to the efferent impulses
What are stretch reflexes important for maintaining?
upright posture
What are muscle spindles?
specialized muscle cells that are constantly monitoring the amount of stretch in a muscle
What type of reflex is the patellar reflex?
stretch reflex
What is the patellar reflex also known as?
knee-jerk reflex
What does the patellar reflex test?
stretch reflex of the quadriceps femoris muscle in the thigh
What attaches the quadriceps muscle to the tibia bone?
patellar ligament
What are excitatory interneurons?
send excitatory signals to motor neurons causing muscular contraction
What are inhibitory interneurons?
send inhibitory signals that prevent muscular contraction
What is the general idea of the flexor withdrawal reflex?
excitatory interneuron synapses on the biceps causing the biceps to contract
inhibitory interneurons synapses on triceps prevent the triceps from contraction
