Reflex Actions & Modifying Reflex Actions Flashcards
What is a reflex action?
It is a fast, automatic, involuntary response to a stimulus.
What is the first step in the pathway for a reflex arc?
- A receptor is stimulated
What is the second step in the pathway for a reflex arc?
- This causes impulses to pass along a sensory neuron into the spinal cord
What is the third step in the pathway for a reflex arc?
- The sensory neuron synapses with a relay neuron, by-passing the brain
What is the fourth step in the pathway for a reflex arc?
- The relay neuron synapses with a motor neuron, sending impulses to the effectors
What is the fifth step in the pathway for a reflex arc?
- The effectors respond
What do simple reflexes like these ensure?
That an animal automatically responds to a stimulus in a way that helps it to survive
Give examples of this
Finding food
Sheltering predators
Finding a mate
What does the fixed pathway of neurons allow?
Very rapid response as there isn’t any processing of the information by the brain
What is a result of reflex actions?
The majority of behavior displayed by simple animals.
What is the disadvantage of this?
Animals have difficulty responding to new situations