Describe the reflex arc

Answer 1

A reflex arc is the neural pathway that mediates a reflex action. In higher animals, most sensory neurons do not pass directly into the brain, but synapse in the spinal cord. This characteristic allows reflex actions to occur relatively quickly by activating spinal motor neurons without the delay of routing signals through the brain, although the brain will receive sensory input while the reflex action occurs.

Answer 2

Reflex arc is the path of impulse that travels from receptor (ex. skin) to spinal cord through sensory nerve and from spinal cord to effectors (ex. muscles) through motor nerve. This impulse helps us to perform reflex action. Ex. we pull back our hand on touching any hot object.

Answer 3

Receptors sense this external stimuli then travels along sensory neurone along spinal cord to synapse then relay neurone, reaching another synapse to motor neurone, the response. Hope this helped

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

Sensation is carried by sensory nerve fibres. Then you have intermediate neuron. Then motor neuron. Nerve signal travels along the tract to give rise to reflex action. Simultaneously, the impulse is sent to brain.

Answer 6

It's role is to be there and help the body etc.