Reflexes

Definition

Reflexes are automatic and involuntary responses to stimuli that help protect our bodies from harm or maintain balance. They occur without conscious thought or effort.

Related terms

Spinal Cord:

The spinal cord plays a crucial role in reflexes as it allows nerve signals to travel between the brain and different parts of the body quickly. It's like an expressway for reflex messages.

Sensory Receptors: Sensory receptors detect stimuli such as heat, pressure, or pain and send signals to the central nervous system (CNS). They're like sensors on our skin that alert us when something touches us.

Motor Neurons: Motor neurons transmit signals from the central nervous system to our muscles or glands, resulting in a physical response. They are like messengers that carry instructions from the brain to our body parts during reflexes.