Reflexes Flashcards
what is a reflex
Is a rapid automatic response to a change in the external or internal environment
what are spinal reflexes
Are reflexes carried out by the spinal cord. This message is not sent to the brain until after a response has been carried out.
are spinal reflexes voluntary or involunary
involuntary
describe how reflex arcs work
- Pain receptors in the skin detect the stimulus and produces a nerve impulse
- A sensory neuron conducts the nerve impulse from the receptor and sends it to the CNS
- Infomation is processed in the CNS. An interneuron will pass the message to the appropriate motor neuron
- The motor neuron carries the nerve impulse to the effector
- The effector will carry out the response.
what are the two types of reflexes
- Innate reflexes
- Acquired reflexes
what are examples of innate reflexes
- suckling
- grasping
- following movement with eyes
what are examples of acquired reflexes
- catching a ball
- breaking while driving
what are innate reflexes
reflexes which you are born with
what are acquired reflexes
reflexes which you learn
Compare both the endocrine and nervous systems (nature of message, transport of message, cells affected, type of response, time taken to response + duration of response)
nervous -
1. electrical impulses and neurotransmitters
2. along the membrane of neurons
3. muscle and gland cells
4. local and specific
5. rapid within milliseconds
6. brief - stops quickly when the stimulus stops
endocrine -
1. hormones
2. bloodstream
3. all body cells
4. general and widespread
5. slower - seconds to days
6. longer lasting - may continue after the stimulus stops
What are the 4 properties of spinal reflexes?
- Stimulus – is required to trigger the reflex.
- Involuntary – occurs without conscious thought.
- Rapid – only a small number of neurons are involved.
- Stereotyped – occurs in the same way each time.
