Lesson 7 - Reflexes and Reaction Time Flashcards
Is reaction time voluntary or involuntary?
Voluntary, unlike reflexes
Reaction time is considerably more complex than reflexes as they involve __________
Higher brain functions
Where does the delay for reaction time occur?
At the synapses between the different neurons involved
What are the factors that affect reaction time?
- Age (+/-)
- Arousal (Fastest with intermediate level)
- Distraction (Increases with reaction time)
- Gender (Males generally have faster reaction times than females)
- Practice (More practice decreases reaction time)
- Errors (More errors lead to slower reaction times)
- Fatigue (More fatigue leads to slower reaction times)
- Punishment (-)
- Drugs (Stimulants decrease reaction; depressants increase reaction time)
- Warnings (Reaction time is faster with warning)
It is an instantaneous response to a stimulus.
Reflex
Are reflexes voluntary or involuntary?
Involuntary
A reflex occurs via neural pathways in the nervous system known as __________
Neural Arcs
What are the steps in reflexes?
- Receptors detect a change
- Sensory neurons carry information to the CNS
- The CNS processes the sensory information
- Motor neurons then send the information from the CNS to effector organs (ex: skeletal muscles)
- The effector organ then produces a response appropriate to the stimulus that is perceived (for example pulling your hand away when you actually touch a sharp object)
These are produced via single synapses between sensory axon and motor neurons.
Spinal reflexes
This is the place where neurons connect and communicate with each other.
Synapse
These are nerve cells that communicate information to the CNS and the rest of the body
Neurons
This type of neurons help perceive a stimulus.
Sensory neurons
This type of neurons are for coordinating an action.
Motor neurons
This is a part of the neuron that carries information to and from the spinal cord.
Axon
How many neurons do spinal reflexes use and what are they?
Two neurons: sensory and motor