Reflexes and the Reflex Arc Flashcards

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  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

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Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

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What is a reflex action?

A reflex action is a rapid, automatic response to a stimulus that does not involve conscious thought.

Why are reflex actions important for the body?

They help protect the body from harm, for example by moving you away from something painful or dangerous.

Name the main parts of a simple reflex arc in the correct order.

Stimulus → receptor → sensory neurone → relay neurone (in spinal cord) → motor neurone → effector → response.

What does the sensory neurone do in a reflex arc?

It carries nerve impulses from the receptor to the spinal cord.

What does the relay neurone do in a reflex arc and where is it found?

It passes the impulse from the sensory neurone to the motor neurone and is found in the spinal cord.

What does the motor neurone do in a reflex arc?

It carries the impulse from the spinal cord to the effector, such as a muscle or gland.

Where does coordination of a simple reflex usually take place?

In the spinal cord, not in the conscious part of the brain.

How is a reflex action different from a conscious action?

A reflex action is fast and automatic, while a conscious action is slower and involves thinking and choice.

Describe what happens in the reflex arc when you touch something hot.

Heat is the stimulus and is detected by receptors in the skin. An impulse travels along the sensory neurone to the spinal cord, through a relay neurone to a motor neurone, which makes muscles in the arm contract so you pull your hand away.

Why are reflex actions very fast?

They use a short pathway with only a few neurones and they do not involve the conscious part of the brain.

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