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Reflexes and the Nervous System

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Questions and Answers

What is a reflex in biology?

A reflex in biology is an involuntary, unplanned sequence or action and nearly instantaneous response to a stimulus.

How are reflexes initiated?

Reflexes are initiated by a stimulus that initiates a neural signal, which is carried to a synapse.

What are reflex arcs?

Reflex arcs are neural pathways in the nervous system through which a reflex occurs.

Do all reflexes require conscious thought?

No, many reflexes are automatic responses to a stimulus that do not require conscious thought. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a reflex that increases organism survival.

An example of a reflex that increases organism survival is the startle reflex, which provides an automatic response to an unexpected stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reflex has a single synapse?

Short-latency reflex Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the feline righting reflex?

To ensure safe landing when falling Signup and view all the answers

What are reflex arcs?

Neural pathways in the nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a reflex in biology?

To provide an automatic response to a stimulus Signup and view all the answers

How are reflexes initiated?

Via neural pathways Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Reflexes in Biology

A reflex is an involuntary, unplanned sequence or action and nearly instantaneous response to a stimulus.
Reflexes are found in organisms with a nervous system, with varying levels of complexity.
Reflexes occur via neural pathways in the nervous system called reflex arcs.

Reflex Arcs

A stimulus initiates a neural signal, which is carried to a synapse.
The signal is then transferred across the synapse to a motor neuron, which evokes a target response.
Neural signals do not always travel to the brain, allowing many reflexes to be automatic responses to a stimulus without conscious thought.

Types of Reflexes

Many reflexes are fine-tuned to increase organism survival and self-defense.
Examples of reflexes include the startle reflex, which provides an automatic response to an unexpected stimulus.
The feline righting reflex reorients a cat's body when falling to ensure safe landing.

Short-Latency Reflex

A short-latency reflex is the simplest type of reflex.
It has a single synapse.

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Description

Test your knowledge of reflexes and the nervous system with this quiz! Learn about the different types of reflexes, how they occur through neural pathways, and their importance in organisms. Challenge yourself with questions on stimulus response, synapses, and more.