Question

Explain the mechanism of reflex arc with an example .

Answer 1

reflex arc the circuit traveled by impulses producing a reflex action: receptor organ, afferent nerve, nerve center, efferent nerve, effector organ in a muscle.

Reflexes are of two types:

i) Simple or unconditioned reflex - In this type of reflex, the brain is not involved. The receptor is stimulated which is conducted to the spinal cord by the effector. The effector neuron from the spinal cord conducts a response to the muscle or the gland. This causes an immediate reaction. It does not involve any thinking or reasoning.

ii) Complex or conditioned reflex - This type of reflex involves the brain but it is also as fast as the simple reflex. For example - We salivate on smelling our favourite food. The individual recognises the smell and based on a previous experience, the response (salivation) occurs. The recognition of the previous experience involves the association centres of the brain.