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Nervous Transmission
Reflexes
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What is a reflex?
A reflex is an automatic response to changes in the external and/or internal environment. Some reflexes involve the unconscious part of the brain, however most are coordinated by the spinal cord. A spinal reflex does not involve the brain; the brain may become aware of what is happening, but it does not become aware until after the response has been initiated.
Reflexes have four common properties:
A stimulus is required to trigger a reflex; it is not spontaneous
A reflex is involuntary; it occurs without any conscious thought
A reflex response is rapid; only a small number of neurons are involved
A reflex is stereotyped; it occurs in the same way each time it happens
![two.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b87695_bb477ce3c9a24d118169b3bc79b35acb~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_50,h_50,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/two.png)
What is a reflex arc?
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A reflex arc is the pathway which a nerve impulse follows in travelling from a receptor to an effector. The basic elements of a reflex arc includes (in the following order);
Receptor
Sensory neuron
Connector neuron
Motor neuron
Effector
![two.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/863f7f_2e514c13a8bf4bd4820a23efe24a4cac~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_50,h_50,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/two.png)
What are some examples of reflexes?
![Slide2.jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b87695_50f0d0999774410cbdfd7edb1001ec87~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_648,h_172,al_c,lg_1,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/Slide2.png)
What is a reflex?
A reflex is an automatic response to changes in the external and/or internal environment. Some reflexes involve the unconscious part of the brain, however most are coordinated by the spinal cord. A spinal reflex does not involve the brain; the brain may become aware of what is happening, but it does not become aware until after the response has been initiated.
Reflexes have four common properties:
A stimulus is required to trigger a reflex; it is not spontaneous
A reflex is involuntary; it occurs without any conscious thought
A reflex response is rapid; only a small number of neurons are involved
A reflex is stereotyped; it occurs in the same way each time it happens
What is a reflex arc?
A reflex arc is the pathway which a nerve impulse follows in travelling from a receptor to an effector. The basic elements of a reflex arc includes (in the following order);
Receptor
Sensory neuron
Connector neuron
Motor neuron
Effector