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Questions and Answers
What is the function of efferent neurons?
What is the function of efferent neurons?
What is the cause of a diminished muscle stretch reflex?
What is the cause of a diminished muscle stretch reflex?
What is a characteristic of reflexes?
What is a characteristic of reflexes?
What is the function of inhibitory neurons in some reflexes?
What is the function of inhibitory neurons in some reflexes?
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What is the outcome of the contraction of skeletal muscle cells?
What is the outcome of the contraction of skeletal muscle cells?
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What can affect reflexes?
What can affect reflexes?
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What is the main characteristic of a reflex?
What is the main characteristic of a reflex?
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What is the function of the afferent part of a reflex?
What is the function of the afferent part of a reflex?
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What is the purpose of the muscle stretch reflex?
What is the purpose of the muscle stretch reflex?
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What is the role of muscle spindles in the muscle stretch reflex?
What is the role of muscle spindles in the muscle stretch reflex?
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What is the direction of information flow in the afferent part of a reflex?
What is the direction of information flow in the afferent part of a reflex?
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What is the characteristic of the efferent part of a reflex?
What is the characteristic of the efferent part of a reflex?
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What is the relationship between the afferent and efferent parts of a reflex?
What is the relationship between the afferent and efferent parts of a reflex?
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What is the role of afferent neurons in the muscle stretch reflex?
What is the role of afferent neurons in the muscle stretch reflex?
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What happens when a skeletal muscle is rapidly stretched?
What happens when a skeletal muscle is rapidly stretched?
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What is the function of muscle spindles?
What is the function of muscle spindles?
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What is the knee-jerk reflex an example of?
What is the knee-jerk reflex an example of?
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What happens in the efferent part of a reflex?
What happens in the efferent part of a reflex?
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What type of neurons form an excitatory synapse in a reflex?
What type of neurons form an excitatory synapse in a reflex?
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What is the result of the muscle stretch reflex?
What is the result of the muscle stretch reflex?
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What triggers the knee-jerk reflex?
What triggers the knee-jerk reflex?
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What is the location of the afferent and efferent parts of a reflex?
What is the location of the afferent and efferent parts of a reflex?
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Which part of the nervous system does the efferent neuron carry response information to?
Which part of the nervous system does the efferent neuron carry response information to?
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What is the effect of a problem with the lower motor neurons on the muscle stretch reflex?
What is the effect of a problem with the lower motor neurons on the muscle stretch reflex?
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At which level of the nervous system do reflexes occur?
At which level of the nervous system do reflexes occur?
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What is the role of inhibitory neurons in some reflexes?
What is the role of inhibitory neurons in some reflexes?
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Which type of neurons synapse on and control skeletal muscle cells?
Which type of neurons synapse on and control skeletal muscle cells?
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What is required for a reflex to occur?
What is required for a reflex to occur?
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Which type of neurons are involved in the contraction of skeletal muscle cells in a reflex?
Which type of neurons are involved in the contraction of skeletal muscle cells in a reflex?
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What is the consequence of a problem with the efferent part of a reflex?
What is the consequence of a problem with the efferent part of a reflex?
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At which level of the nervous system do reflexes typically occur?
At which level of the nervous system do reflexes typically occur?
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What is the purpose of inhibitory neurons in some reflexes?
What is the purpose of inhibitory neurons in some reflexes?
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What is a common consequence of a problem with the afferent part of a reflex?
What is a common consequence of a problem with the afferent part of a reflex?
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What is the relationship between consciousness and reflexes?
What is the relationship between consciousness and reflexes?
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What is the primary function of the afferent part of a reflex?
What is the primary function of the afferent part of a reflex?
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What type of neurons are involved in the muscle stretch reflex?
What type of neurons are involved in the muscle stretch reflex?
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What is the role of muscle spindles in the muscle stretch reflex?
What is the role of muscle spindles in the muscle stretch reflex?
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What is the outcome of the muscle stretch reflex?
What is the outcome of the muscle stretch reflex?
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What is the primary characteristic of the efferent part of a reflex?
What is the primary characteristic of the efferent part of a reflex?
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What is the function of the afferent neurons in the muscle stretch reflex?
What is the function of the afferent neurons in the muscle stretch reflex?
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What is the result of the muscle stretch reflex?
What is the result of the muscle stretch reflex?
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What is the trigger for the knee-jerk reflex?
What is the trigger for the knee-jerk reflex?
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Study Notes
Reflexes
- A reflex is a response to a stimulus that doesn't require the involvement of consciousness.
- All reflexes have two parts: the afferent part and the efferent part.
Afferent Part
- The afferent part involves bringing information about a stimulus into the central nervous system.
- It includes receptors that detect the stimulus and neurons that carry the information to the central nervous system.
Efferent Part
- The efferent part carries information away from the central nervous system to cause a response in the periphery.
- It includes neurons that carry the response information to the peripheral nervous system.
Muscle Stretch Reflex
- The muscle stretch reflex is a simple reflex that occurs when a skeletal muscle is rapidly stretched.
- It causes the muscle to contract quickly as a protective response to prevent injury.
- The reflex occurs on the same side of the body, with the afferent part bringing information in from one side and the efferent part causing a response on the same side.
Knee-Jerk Reflex
- The knee-jerk reflex is a type of muscle stretch reflex that occurs when the tendon below the kneecap is stretched.
- It causes the leg to kick out without conscious control.
- The reflex is triggered by the stretching of the tendon, which pulls on the muscle and activates the muscle spindles.
Muscle Spindles
- Muscle spindles are specialized receptors in skeletal muscles that detect muscle stretch.
- They are made up of specialized fibers and neuron axons that wrap around them.
- The axons carry information about the muscle stretch back to the central nervous system.
Afferent Neurons
- Afferent neurons are somatosensory neurons that carry information about the stimulus into the central nervous system.
- They form an excitatory synapse with another neuron in the central nervous system.
Efferent Neurons
- Efferent neurons are lower motor neurons that carry response information from the central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system.
- They synapse on and control skeletal muscle cells, causing them to contract.
Diminished Reflexes
- Diminished reflexes can occur if there is a problem with either the afferent or efferent part of the reflex.
- Problems with the lower motor neurons or somatosensory neurons can cause a diminished muscle stretch reflex.
Characteristics of Reflexes
- Reflexes do not require the involvement of consciousness.
- They occur at the lower levels of the nervous system, such as the spinal cord or brain stem.
- Reflexes can be affected by problems with either the afferent or efferent part of the reflex.
Additional Mechanism
- In some reflexes, an additional mechanism involves the relaxation of the opposing muscle to increase the response.
- This is achieved through inhibitory neurons that inhibit the lower motor neurons to the opposing muscle.
Reflexes
- A reflex is a response to a stimulus that doesn't require conscious involvement.
- Reflexes have two parts: afferent and efferent.
Afferent Part
- Involves bringing information about a stimulus into the central nervous system.
- Includes receptors that detect the stimulus and neurons that carry information to the CNS.
Efferent Part
- Carries information away from the CNS to cause a response in the periphery.
- Includes neurons that carry response information to the peripheral nervous system.
Muscle Stretch Reflex
- Occurs when a skeletal muscle is rapidly stretched.
- Causes the muscle to contract quickly to prevent injury.
- Occurs on the same side of the body.
Knee-Jerk Reflex
- A type of muscle stretch reflex that occurs when the tendon below the kneecap is stretched.
- Causes the leg to kick out without conscious control.
- Triggered by tendon stretching, which activates muscle spindles.
Muscle Spindles
- Specialized receptors in skeletal muscles that detect muscle stretch.
- Composed of specialized fibers and neuron axons.
Afferent Neurons
- Somatosensory neurons that carry information about the stimulus into the CNS.
- Form an excitatory synapse with another neuron in the CNS.
Efferent Neurons
- Lower motor neurons that carry response information from the CNS to the peripheral nervous system.
- Synapse on and control skeletal muscle cells, causing them to contract.
Diminished Reflexes
- Can occur if there is a problem with either the afferent or efferent part of the reflex.
- Problems with lower motor neurons or somatosensory neurons can cause a diminished muscle stretch reflex.
Characteristics of Reflexes
- Do not require conscious involvement.
- Occur at lower levels of the nervous system (spinal cord or brain stem).
- Can be affected by problems with either the afferent or efferent part.
Additional Mechanism
- Involves relaxation of the opposing muscle to increase the response.
- Achieved through inhibitory neurons that inhibit lower motor neurons to the opposing muscle.
Reflexes
- A reflex is a response to a stimulus that doesn't require conscious involvement.
- Reflexes have two parts: afferent and efferent.
Afferent Part
- Involves bringing information about a stimulus into the central nervous system.
- Includes receptors that detect the stimulus and neurons that carry information to the CNS.
Efferent Part
- Carries information away from the CNS to cause a response in the periphery.
- Includes neurons that carry response information to the peripheral nervous system.
Muscle Stretch Reflex
- Occurs when a skeletal muscle is rapidly stretched.
- Causes the muscle to contract quickly to prevent injury.
- Occurs on the same side of the body.
Knee-Jerk Reflex
- A type of muscle stretch reflex that occurs when the tendon below the kneecap is stretched.
- Causes the leg to kick out without conscious control.
- Triggered by tendon stretching, which activates muscle spindles.
Muscle Spindles
- Specialized receptors in skeletal muscles that detect muscle stretch.
- Composed of specialized fibers and neuron axons.
Afferent Neurons
- Somatosensory neurons that carry information about the stimulus into the CNS.
- Form an excitatory synapse with another neuron in the CNS.
Efferent Neurons
- Lower motor neurons that carry response information from the CNS to the peripheral nervous system.
- Synapse on and control skeletal muscle cells, causing them to contract.
Diminished Reflexes
- Can occur if there is a problem with either the afferent or efferent part of the reflex.
- Problems with lower motor neurons or somatosensory neurons can cause a diminished muscle stretch reflex.
Characteristics of Reflexes
- Do not require conscious involvement.
- Occur at lower levels of the nervous system (spinal cord or brain stem).
- Can be affected by problems with either the afferent or efferent part.
Additional Mechanism
- Involves relaxation of the opposing muscle to increase the response.
- Achieved through inhibitory neurons that inhibit lower motor neurons to the opposing muscle.
Reflexes
- A reflex is a response to a stimulus that doesn't require conscious involvement.
- Reflexes have two parts: afferent and efferent.
Afferent Part
- Involves bringing information about a stimulus into the central nervous system.
- Includes receptors that detect the stimulus and neurons that carry information to the CNS.
Efferent Part
- Carries information away from the CNS to cause a response in the periphery.
- Includes neurons that carry response information to the peripheral nervous system.
Muscle Stretch Reflex
- Occurs when a skeletal muscle is rapidly stretched.
- Causes the muscle to contract quickly to prevent injury.
- Occurs on the same side of the body.
Knee-Jerk Reflex
- A type of muscle stretch reflex that occurs when the tendon below the kneecap is stretched.
- Causes the leg to kick out without conscious control.
- Triggered by tendon stretching, which activates muscle spindles.
Muscle Spindles
- Specialized receptors in skeletal muscles that detect muscle stretch.
- Composed of specialized fibers and neuron axons.
Afferent Neurons
- Somatosensory neurons that carry information about the stimulus into the CNS.
- Form an excitatory synapse with another neuron in the CNS.
Efferent Neurons
- Lower motor neurons that carry response information from the CNS to the peripheral nervous system.
- Synapse on and control skeletal muscle cells, causing them to contract.
Diminished Reflexes
- Can occur if there is a problem with either the afferent or efferent part of the reflex.
- Problems with lower motor neurons or somatosensory neurons can cause a diminished muscle stretch reflex.
Characteristics of Reflexes
- Do not require conscious involvement.
- Occur at lower levels of the nervous system (spinal cord or brain stem).
- Can be affected by problems with either the afferent or efferent part.
Additional Mechanism
- Involves relaxation of the opposing muscle to increase the response.
- Achieved through inhibitory neurons that inhibit lower motor neurons to the opposing muscle.
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Description
Learn about reflexes, their components, and how they work in the nervous system. Understand the afferent and efferent parts of a reflex and their roles in responding to stimuli.