The Reflex Arc

Learning objective

To be able to explain the structure and function

of a reflex arc including sensory, relay and motor
neurones
 Starter
Check your knowledge of the neural pathway taken by an
electrical impulse in a voluntary reaction by putting the
following structures into the correct order on your MWB
1 Sensory neurone
2 Motor neurone
3 Sensory receptor
4 CNS
5 Stimulus
6 Effector

5 3 1 4 2 6
Reflex actions

Reflex actions are:

 Rapid
 Automatic - Do not involve the conscious
part of the brain
 Protective

In a reflex action the pathway the impulses

travel through is called a reflex arc
The pathway of a reflex arc
A stimulus is detected by a sensory receptor which
sends an electrical impulse along a sensory neurone to
a relay neurone in the CNS.

The relay neurone passes the electrical impulse onto a

motor neurone.

The motor neurone passes the electrical impulse to

the effector, which contracts if it is a muscle or
secretes a chemical if it is a gland.
Task

Draw a flow chart of the pathway of a reflex arc

Show the direction of the electrical impulse

Remember: The relay neurones conduct the electrical impulse

straight from the sensory neurone to the motor neurone

Key words: sensory neurone, relay neurone, motor

neurone, stimulus, effector, receptor, response
Task

Label the diagram to show the neurones

involved in a reflex arc.

1. What is the stimulus?

2. What is the response?

Extended response question
Think carefully, then copy out & answer the question

1. 0.7 seconds is the average reaction time of a human.

Reflex actions can take as little as 0.2 seconds.

Suggest two reasons why reflex reactions are faster

than other nervous reactions (6 marks)*