Kristine R.

Salud Pathophysiology
Laboratory 2

UNIVERSITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

FR. SELGA ST. DAVAO CITY

EXPERIMENT #6

Monosynaptic and Polysynaptic Reflex Arc

Name: Kristine R. Salud Date Performed:

Objective: To differentiate a monsynaptic from a polysynaptic reflex arc

Materials:

Colored pens

Bond papers

Pencils

Method:

1. Draw and label a monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflex arc using the spinal cord as the
integration center
Monosynaptic Reflex Polysynaptic Reflex
 Kristine R. Salud Pathophysiology
Laboratory 2

2. Explain briefly your drawing

When a reflex arc consists of only two neurons in an animal (one sensory neuron and one motor
neuron), it is defined as monosynaptic. Monosynaptic refers to the presence of a single chemical
synapse. In the case of peripheral muscle reflexes (patellar reflex, achilles reflex), brief stimulation to the
muscle spindle results in contraction of the agonist or effector muscle.

By contrast, in polysynaptic reflex pathways, one or more interneurons connect afferent (sensory) and
efferent (motor) signals. All but the most simple reflexes are polysynaptic, allowing processing or
inhibition of polysynaptic reflexes within the spinal cord.
Polysynaptic reflexes because they connect with the brain via longitudinal neurones running the length
of the spinal cord they can be inhibited by the conscious control of the brain eg. if you touch a hot
object you can over ride the reflex and leave your hand ther if you wanted to!! In contrast you cannot
suppress a monsynaptic reflex eg try stopping the knee jerk reflex.

Answer Briefly:

1. Give an example of a monosynaptic reflex

The tendon jerk reflex is when a doctor taps just below your knee and makes your leg
2. Give an example of a polysynaptic reflex
Stimulation of pain receptors in the skin initiates a withdrawal reflex, which involves several
synapses with several motor neurons and results in the removal of the organism or part from
the stimulus.

CONCLUSION

Throughout this experiment, it helped us understand that the human nerves are consists of two neurons
(one sensory and the other as motor), which is properly defined as monosypatic.

Monosynaptic reflex, refers to the presence of a single chemical synapse which is found in the peripheral
muscle reflexes (patellar, reflex, Achilles reflex), wherein a brief stimulation of this muscles results in
contraction of the antagonist or effector muscles.

In contrast to the above statement, Polysynaptic reflex pathway, involves one or more inter-neurons
that connects afferent and efferent signals. One example of polysynaptic is the withdrawal reflex during
pain defense of the body.