REFLEX ACTIONS
Pratyusha Singh
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C E R T I F I C AT E
o This is to certify that Pratyusha Singh student of Class 11th has successfully
completed her Biology project on Reflex Actions under the guidances of Mrs.
Meena Chauhan
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
o I woul
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CONTENTS
o Introduction
o Reflex Arc
o Roots of reflex Actions
o Reflexes in Infants
o Types of Reflexes
I N T R O D U C T I O N : W H AT
IS REFLEX ACTION?
Reflex action is the most basic type of response in the nervous system. It's an
automatic, mechanical reaction to a stimulus that affects a specific receptor
and doesn't require conscious thought or effort. It involves a part of the central
nervous [Link] action is the most basic type of response in the nervous
system.
REFLEX ARC
A Reflex arc is a neural pathway that controls reflexes. In most
vertebrates, sensory neurons synapse in the spinal cord instead of
passing directly into the brain. This allows for faster reflex actions by
activating spinal motor neurons without routing signals through the
brain. The brain receives the input while the reflex is carried out, and
signal analysis takes place after the reflex action.
8 D I A G R A M M AT I C
R E P R E S E N TAT I O N O F
REFLEX ARC
9 ROOTS OF REFLEX
ACTIONS
o We evolved over millions of years to have reflexes a sthinking and creating an appropriate response by the brain takes time
which is overcome by evolution of reflex actions by spinal cord which gives immediate response to external stimuli.
o During the fetal stage, the first reflexes begin to develop. By 7.5 weeks after conception, the fetus turns its lips towards a
stimulus around its mouth, indicating the presence of a primitive sucking reflex. At birth, the newborn is able to suck and
swallow reflexively. Sucking is elicited by touching the baby's lips, while swallowing is induced by touching the back of its
throat. It is worth noting that although the term "stereotyped" is used to describe the reflex response, it is not always the
same. Repeated stimulus can cause sensitization, which is an increase in response that occurs during the first 10 to 20
responses. Conversely, habituation is a decrease in response that occurs until it is extinguished. It is important to note that
irregular repetition of the stimulus prevents or minimizes habituation, suggesting that the efficacy of the reflex response is
contingent upon the stimulus being presented in a novel manner.
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R E F L E X E S I N I N FA N T S
Age of
Reflex Stimulation Response Function
loss
Shine bright light near Quickely closed Protects infant from
Eye blink Permanent
eyes or clap near head eyelids strong stimulation
Stroke cheek near corner Head turns Helps infant find the
Rooting 3 weeks
of mouth towards source nipple
Place a finger in infants Infant sucks
Sucking 4 months Permits feeding
mouth rythematically
Infant paddles and
Place infant face down in 4-6 Helps with survival if
Swimming kicks in swimming
pool of water months dropped into water
motion
Infant makes
“embracing”
Hold infant on back and motion by arching
let head drop slightly or back, extending May have helped infant
Moro 6 months
produce a loud sound legs, and throwing cling to mother in past
against supporting surface arms outward
then bringing
arms in
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Palmer Grasp Place finger in Spontaneous gasp 3-4 months Prepares infant for
infants hand and of finger voluntary reaching
press on palm
Tonic Neck Turn infants head Infant takes a 4 months Prepares infant for
to one side while “fencing position” voluntary reaching
infant is lying one arm extended
awake on his back in front of eyes and
the other is flexed
Stepping Hold infant under Infants lifts one foot 2 months in infants Prepares infant for
arms and allow after another in a who gain weight voluntary walking
bare feet to touch stepping motion quickly
a flat surface
Babinski Stroke sole of foot Toes fan out and 8-12 months Unknown
from toe to heel curl as foot twists in
BABIES ARE BORN
WITH OVER 70
REFLEXES
TYPES OF REFLEXES
Conditioned
Clinical Anatomic Number of Functional
or
Classification Classification Synapses Classification
Unconditioned
Superficial Segmental Asynaptic Flexor
Visceral Intersegmental Monosynaptic Extensor
Deep Suprasegmental Bisynaptic Righting
Pathological Polysynaptic Postural
Withdrawal
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C L I N I C A L C L A S S I F I C AT I O N
o Superficial Stimulating superficial structures
Ex; Mainly the reflexes which are elicited by stroking the skin
o Deep Stimulating receptors deep in muscle
Ex; Jaw Jerk ,Biceps Reflex ,Triceps Reflex, Brachioradialis Reflex, Finger Jerk, Knee Jerk, Ankle Jerk, etc.
o Visceral Stimulating receptors in viscera(i.e. large internal organs like heart stomach etc.)
Ex; dilation of the pupils, defecation, vomiting, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, digestion, energy
metabolism, respiratory airflow and urination, etc.
o Pathological Present only during abnormalities
Ex; Babinski, Chaddock, Oppenheim, snout, rooting, grasp, etc.
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A N AT O M I C C L A S S I F I C AT I O N
o Segmental Reflex arc pass through one anatomic segment
Ex; Knee jerk, etc
o Intersegmental Involve greater or more than one segment
Ex; Crossed extensor response
o Suprasegmental Involve interaction with suprasegmental
components.
Ex; Postural reflexes (head – limb)
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NUMBER OF SYNAPSES
o Asynaptic Axon reflex
o Monosynaptic Stretch reflex
o Bisynaptic Reciprocal innervation
o Polysynaptic Superficial reflex
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FUNCTIONAL
C L A S S I F I C AT I O N
o Flexor Reflexes
Ex; flexor reflex of the pelvic limb of a dog, which causes flexion of the hock, stifle, and hip.
o Extensor Reflexes
Ex; when one foot steps on a nail, the crossed extensor reflex shifts the body's weight onto the other foot, protecting and
withdrawing the foot on the nail.
o Righting Reflexes
Ex; Stepping and hopping reactions
o Postural Reflexes
Ex; : visual righting reflexes, labyrinthine righting reflexes, neck righting reflexes, body on head righting reflexes, and body on
body righting reflexes
o Withdrawal Reflexes
Ex; you were to touch a hot stove or step on a tack, etc
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UNCONDITIONED AND
CONDITIONED REFLEXES
o Unconditioned Reflexes Inborn or inherent reflexes
o Conditioned Reflexes Acquired reflexes
Secretion of saliva when food is kept in mouth is unconditioned reflex and,
secretion even with thought is ‘conditioned’.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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[Link] .com
THANK YOU
Pratyusha Singh
XI - B
