Explain Reflex Activity And Spinal Reflexes Flashcards
How is a reflex defined?
Reflex is defined as a fast, automatic response to a specific stimulus.
What can reflex activity be in the human body?
It can be inborn or intrinsic. It can also be Learned or acquired.
What is inborn or intrinsic reflex?
It is a rapid and predictive motor response to stimuli formed between neurons during human development.
What do inborn or intrinsic reflexes do?
They are involuntary reflexes that subconsciously maintain body posture, help to avoid pain and control visceral activities.
Give examples of inborn or intrinsic reflexes?
An example would be a response to pain is triggered by an inborn spinal reflex that operates without assistance from the brain.
In terms of an inborn or intrinsic reflex what are the regulates the visceral response?
Many visceral reflexes are regulated by the brainstem and spinal cord.
How is learned or acquired reflexes defined?
These reflexes are developed over time, because of repeated reactions to stimuli.
Is it similar to inborn reflexes?
No, whilst being more complex than inborn reflexes, learned or acquired reflexes can be altered by learning and conscious efforts.
What is the reflex arc?
The reflex arc may or may not use interneurons. Sensory impulses from receptors can reach their effectors without being processed by the brain.
What are the five basic components of the reflex arc?
- Receptor
- Sensory Neuron
- An integration Centre
- A motor Neuron
- An Effector.
What is a receptor?
This is the site of the stimulus action.
What is a sensory neuron?
A sensory neuron transmits afferent impulses to the CNS.
There are two types of sensory neurons what are they?
They are a monosynaptic or a polysynaptic reflex.
When dealing with a sensory neuron. What is a monosynaptic reflex?
A single synapse is located between sensory neuron and a motor neuron and is referred to as a monosynaptic reflex.
When dealing with sensory neurons, what is a polysynaptic reflex?
This is a more complex reflex arc relying on multiple synapses. There are chains of interneurons are involved. Polysynaptic reflexes are slower than monosynaptic reflexes.
