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What are the reflex and reflex arc?
A reflex is basically an automatic response, something you don't control e.g. your eyes blinking or you hands move away from a hot object. Mainly reflexes are there to prevent… injuries because it's much faster than a voluntary response (actions/response you control). A reflex arc is basically : A stimulus is detected by the receptors in a sense organ. The sensory neurones carries the electrical impulses from the receptors to the relay neurone in the central nervous system. The relay neurone in the CNS then carries the impulses to the motor neurone which then sends it to the effectors. When the effectors (muscles/glands) receives the impulses, it reacts to the response e.g. contracts the muscles to move away from something or glands secrete hormones. Remember that some people get confused that the brain is involved in the reflex arc when it is NOT involved. Because reflexes are so fast, it has no time to go to the brain therefore it skips the brain. If it did go to the brain, the reflex would be slow therefore you would injure yourself as a result. Only voluntary responses involve the brain. (MORE)
