Reflex arc Flashcards
What are the 2 major divisions of the nervous system
Central nervous system
Peripheral nervous system
What is the CNS made up of
Brain and spinal cord
What is the PNS made up of
Pairs of nerves that originate from the brain and spinal cord
What is the PNS divided into
Sensory neurones
Motor neurones
What do sensory neurones do
Carry nerve impulses from receptors to the CNS
What do motor neurones do
Carry nerve impulses away from CNS to effectors
What can the motor nervous system be divided into
Voluntary nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
What does the voluntary nervous system do
Carry nerve impulses to body muscles under conscious control
What does the autonomic nervous system do
Carry nerve impulses to glands, smooth muscle and cardiac muscle under subconscious control
What is the spinal cord
A column of nervous tissue that runs along the back and lies inside the vertebral column for protection
What are the characteristics of a reflex
Rapid
Short lived
localised
involuntary
Definition of reflex arc
The pathway of neurones involved in a reflex
Sequence of a reflex arc
Stimulus
Receptor
Sensory neurone
Coordinator
Motor neurone
Effector
Response
Why is the reflex arc important
Protect the body from harm
Effective from birth, not learned
Fast due to few synapses
Rapid due to no decision making process
Involuntary so brain is not overloaded with information
