Transcript Reflex Arc - Point Loma High School

Reflex Arc
• It’s a neural pathway that mediates in a reflex
•
action.
The sensory neurons pass through the spinal
cord which allows reflex actions to occur
relatively quickly by activating spinal motor
neurons without the delay of steering signals
through the brain, although the brain will receive
sensory input while the reflex action occurs.
Reflex Arc
• Monosynaptic- When a reflex arc consists of only two
neurons in an animal ,one sensory neuron and one
motor neuron. It refers to the presence of a single
chemical synapse. In the case of peripheral muscle
reflexes brief stimulation to the muscle spindle results in
contraction of the agonist muscle.
• Polysynaptic- Reflex pathways, one or more
interneurons connect afferent/sensory and
efferent/motor signals. All but the most simple reflexes
are polysynaptic, allowing processing of polysynaptic
reflexes within the spinal cord.