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Reflex arc
what do you mean by Reflex arc?
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1 Reply
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A reflex arc refers to the neural pathway that mediates a reflex, which is an automatic and involuntary response to a specific stimulus.
The basic components of a reflex arc are:
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Sensory receptor: This is the specialized structure that detects the stimulus, such as pain, temperature, or touch.
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Sensory neuron: The sensory neuron carries the signal from the sensory receptor to the central nervous system (CNS).
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Interneuron: The interneuron is located within the CNS, typically the spinal cord, and acts as a relay between the sensory and motor neurons.
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Motor neuron: The motor neuron carries the signal from the CNS to the effector organ, such as a muscle.
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Effector: The effector is the organ or muscle that generates the reflex response.
When a stimulus is detected by the sensory receptor, it triggers an electrical signal that travels along the sensory neuron to the interneuron in the CNS. The interneuron then quickly transmits the signal to the motor neuron, which in turn activates the effector to produce the reflex response.
This entire pathway, from the sensory receptor to the effector, is called the reflex arc. The reflex arc allows the body to respond to stimuli quickly, without the involvement of the brain, in order to protect the body or maintain homeostasis.
Examples of common reflexes include the knee-jerk reflex, the pupillary light reflex, and the withdrawal reflex (pulling your hand away from a hot object). The reflex arc is a fundamental concept in the study of the nervous system and its functioning.
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