Reflex Arcs Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • 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.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

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

PERSONALISED 1-TO-1 TUTORING

Need more help on this topic? Get 1-to-1 support

Get support with clear explanations, practice and feedback (Ages 5 to 16).

  • DBS-checked tutors
  • Flexible times
  • Parents can be updated
Book a free 10-min call See pricing

Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to remove ads

What is a reflex action?

A reflex action is a fast, automatic response to a stimulus that happens without you thinking.

What is a reflex arc?

A reflex arc is the pathway of neurones that carries nerve impulses from a receptor to an effector in a reflex action.

Why are reflex actions useful to the body?

They protect the body from harm by giving quick responses, such as pulling your hand away from something hot.

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

Stimulus -> receptor -> sensory neurone -> relay neurone in the spinal cord -> motor neurone -> effector -> response.

In a reflex arc, what is a receptor?

A receptor is a cell or group of cells that detects a change in the environment, such as heat, light or pain.

In a reflex arc, what is an effector?

An effector is a muscle or gland that carries out the response, such as a muscle that pulls your arm away.

What role does the spinal cord play in many reflex arcs?

The spinal cord receives impulses from sensory neurones, passes them through relay neurones, and sends impulses back along motor neurones to cause a quick response.

How is a reflex action different from a voluntary action?

A reflex action is fast and automatic and does not need conscious thought. A voluntary action is slower and you choose to do it.

Why do reflex actions happen so quickly?

They use a short pathway with few neurones and synapses, and the impulses do not need to reach the conscious parts of the brain first.

Describe what happens in a reflex when you touch something very hot.

Heat is the stimulus and skin receptors detect it. They send impulses along a sensory neurone to the spinal cord, then through a relay neurone to a motor neurone. The motor neurone makes arm muscles contract to pull your hand away.

Give one example of a reflex that does not involve moving a limb.

The pupil reflex: in bright light, receptors in the eye detect the light and the pupils get smaller to protect the retina.

Previous Topic
Back to Lesson
Next Topic