Reflex Arc Diagram and Definitions

Questions and Answers

What is the Central Nervous System made up of?

Heart and veins

Muscles and joints

Brain and spinal cord (correct)

Skin and hair

What is a reflex?

An automatic response to a stimulus.

What are receptor cells?

Specialized cells in sense organs that detect stimuli.

What does a sensory neuron do?

Carries impulses from receptors to the Central Nervous System. Signup and view all the answers

What is a relay neurone?

A nerve cell in the CNS that passes the impulses from the sensory neurone to a motor neurone. Signup and view all the answers

What role does a motor neuron play?

Carries impulses from the CNS to the effector. Signup and view all the answers

What is an effector?

This carries out the response to the stimulus, eg a muscle contracts. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term response refer to in the context of a reflex arc?

The behavior that results from the stimulus, e.g., moving the finger away from the pin. Signup and view all the answers

What are the sense organs?

Eyes, skin, ears, nose, and tongue. Signup and view all the answers

What is a stimulus?

A change in the environment, e.g., a pin prick. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the brain?

Control center of the nervous system that receives and sends messages. Signup and view all the answers

Which systems are needed for the fight or flight response?

Nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems. Signup and view all the answers

What is an automatic reflex response?

A fast response that doesn't require the message to go to the brain and back, just the spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the stimulus-response process.

Sensory receptors pick up the stimulus, send a message to the brain by sensory neurons; the brain sends a motor neuron message to the muscles and glands for the response. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a reflex arc response.

An object flies towards your face and your eyelids shut. Signup and view all the answers

What is homeostasis?

Stable internal conditions needed for survival. Signup and view all the answers

What comprises the organs and cells in the nervous system?

Brain, spinal cord, neurons. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord, central to processing information and coordinating actions.

Reflex

Represents an automatic response to stimuli, crucial for quick reactions to environmental changes.

Receptor Cells

Specialized cells located in sense organs responsible for detecting stimuli, playing a vital role in sensory perception.

Sensory Neuron

Transmits impulses from receptor cells to the CNS, essential for relaying sensory information.

Relay Neurone

Situated within the CNS, this neuron conveys impulses from sensory neurons to motor neurons, facilitating communication within the nervous system.

Motor Neuron

Carries impulses from the CNS to effectors, enabling movement and responses to sensory inputs.

Effector

Executes the response to stimuli, such as muscle contraction, essential for an organism’s interactions with its environment.

Response

The observable behavior triggered by a stimulus, such as reflexively moving a finger away from a painful stimulus.

Sense Organs

Include the eyes, skin, ears, nose, and tongue, responsible for gathering sensory information from the environment.

Stimulus

Refers to any change in the environment that prompts a response, exemplified by a pin prick.

Brain

Functions as the control center of the nervous system, responsible for receiving and processing messages.

Fight or Flight Response

Involves the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems, mobilizing the body for immediate physical reaction to threats.

Automatic Reflex Response

A rapid reaction that involves only the spinal cord, bypassing the brain, allowing for quick responses to dangers.

Stimulus-Response Process

Begins with sensory receptors detecting a stimulus, sending signals via sensory neurons to the brain, which then instructs motor neurons to trigger muscle and gland activity.

Reflex Arc Response Example

Eyelids shutting when an object approaches the face demonstrates an immediate reflex action facilitated by the reflex arc.

Homeostasis

Refers to the stable internal conditions necessary for survival, maintained through various physiological processes.

Nervous System

A complex network that detects environmental stimuli via receptors and neurons, facilitating appropriate responses.

Components of the Nervous System

Includes the brain, spinal cord, and neurons, all integral to sensory processing and reflex activities.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the reflex arc and its components with this quiz. Learn about the central nervous system, reflex actions, and the roles of receptor and sensory neurons. Perfect for students studying biology or anatomy.