Table of Contents
An Introduction to Reflex Action
Reflex action is an involuntary movement in response to a stimulus. The stimulus can be a physical object, such as a finger being poked, or a chemical, such as a smell. The reflex action is a response that has been learned or is innate.
What happens in Reflex Action?
Reflex action is an involuntary response to a stimulus. For example, when you touch a hot stove, your hand automatically pulls away. The stimulus (heat) triggers a reflex action (pulling away your hand), which is an automatic response.
Types of Reflex Action
Reflex actions are automatic, unlearned responses to certain stimuli. There are three types of reflex actions:
- The withdrawal reflex is an automatic response that causes a person to pull away from a harmful stimulus. For example, when you touch something hot, your hand will instinctively pull away.
- The escape reflex is an automatic response that causes a person to run away from a harmful stimulus. For example, when you see a snake, your body will automatically tense up and you will likely run away.
- The orienting reflex is an automatic response that causes a person to orient their body towards a new stimulus. For example, when you hear a noise behind you, your body will automatically turn to look.
Reflex Arc
A reflex arc is the pathway of a nerve impulse from the receptor to the brain and back to the muscles. The impulse starts with a receptor that is activated by a stimulus. The receptor sends a message to the spinal cord, which then sends a message to the brain. The brain then sends a message back to the muscles, telling them to contract.
The Various Parts of the Reflex Arc are described as follows –
afferent or sensory neuron, interneuron, efferent or motor neuron, and muscle. The afferent neuron is the one that carries the sensory information from the muscle or organ back to the central nervous system. The interneuron is the one that helps to process and relay the information between the afferent and efferent neurons. The efferent neuron is the one that carries the message from the central nervous system to the muscle or organ to produce a response. The muscle is the one that responds to the message from the efferent neuron by contracting.
What is the Significance of Reflex Action?
Reflexes are involuntary, instinctive responses to certain stimuli. For example, when you touch something hot, your reflex is to pull your hand away quickly. This is an automatic response that doesn’t require you to think about it. Reflexes help you protect yourself from danger and keep you safe.
List Down 10 Examples of Reflex Action
1. Blinking when something approaches your eye
2. Yawning when you are tired
3. Shivering when you are cold
4. Goosebumps when you are cold or scared
5. Peeing when you have to go
6. Laughing when something is funny
7. Crying when you are sad
8. Sneezing when you have a cold
9. Jumping when you are scared
10. Hiccups when you are excited
