Chapter Opener 21

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.

Figure 21.1 The five basic components of reflex arcs.

Stimulus

Skin

1 Receptor Interneuron

2 Sensory neuron

3 Integration center

4 Motor neuron

5 Effector

Spinal cord
(in cross section)

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.

Figure 21.2 Monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflex arcs.

Spinal cord

Interneurons

Sensory (afferent)
Sensory receptor
neuron
(muscle spindle) Sensory receptor
endings in
fingertip

Nail
Sensory (afferent)
neuron

Motor (efferent)
neuron
Motor (efferent)
neuron

Effector
Effector (quadriceps (biceps
femoris muscle) brachii
muscle)

Monosynaptic reflex Polysynaptic reflex

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.

Figure 21.2a Monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflex arcs.

Sensory receptor
(muscle spindle)

Sensory (afferent)
neuron

Motor (efferent)
neuron

Effector (quadriceps
femoris muscle)

Monosynaptic reflex
© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
Figure 21.2b Monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflex arcs.
Spinal cord

Interneurons

Sensory (afferent)
neuron
Sensory receptor
endings in
fingertip

Nail

Motor (efferent)
neuron

Effector
(biceps
brachii
muscle)

Polysynaptic reflex
© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
Figure 21.3 The patellar (knee-jerk) reflex—a specific example of a stretch reflex.

+
Quadriceps 3a + 3b
(extensors) 3b –

1
Patella

Spinal cord
(L2–L4)

Muscle
spindle
1 Tapping the patellar ligament excites
muscle
Hamstrings Patellar ligament spindles in the quadriceps.
(flexors)
2 Afferent impulses (blue) travel to the spinal
cord, where synapses occur with motor
neurons
and interneurons.

3a The motor neurons (red) send

activating
impulses to the quadriceps, causing it
to
contract, which extends the leg at the
knee.
3b The interneurons (green) make inhibitory
synapses with ventral horn neurons (purple)
+ Excitatory synapse that
prevent the antagonist muscles (hamstrings)
– Inhibitory synapse from resisting the contraction of the
quadriceps.

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.

Figure 21.3-1 The patellar (knee-jerk) reflex—a specific example of a stretch reflex.

+
Quadriceps
+
(extensors) –

1
Patella

Spinal cord
(L2–L4)

Muscle
spindle
1 Tapping the patellar ligament excites
muscle
Hamstrings Patellar ligament spindles in the quadriceps.
(flexors)

+ Excitatory synapse
– Inhibitory synapse

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.

Figure 21.3-2 The patellar (knee-jerk) reflex—a specific example of a stretch reflex.

+
Quadriceps
+
(extensors) –

Patella

Spinal cord
(L2–L4)

Muscle
spindle

Hamstrings Patellar ligament

(flexors)
2 Afferent impulses (blue) travel to the spinal
cord, where synapses occur with motor
neurons
and interneurons.

+ Excitatory synapse
– Inhibitory synapse

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.

Figure 21.3-3a The patellar (knee-jerk) reflex—a specific example of a stretch reflex.

+
Quadriceps 3a +
(extensors) –

Patella

Spinal cord
(L2–L4)

Muscle
spindle

Hamstrings Patellar ligament

(flexors)

3a The motor neurons (red) send

activating
impulses to the quadriceps, causing it
to
contract, which extends the leg at the
knee.

+ Excitatory synapse
– Inhibitory synapse

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.

Figure 21.3-3b The patellar (knee-jerk) reflex—a specific example of a stretch reflex.

+
Quadriceps 3b
+
(extensors) 3b –

Patella

Spinal cord
(L2–L4)

Muscle
spindle

Hamstrings Patellar ligament

(flexors)

3b The interneurons (green) make inhibitory

synapses with ventral horn neurons (purple)
+ Excitatory synapse that
prevent the antagonist muscles (hamstrings)
– Inhibitory synapse from resisting the contraction of the
quadriceps.

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.

Figure 21.4 Testing the patellar reflex.

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.

Figure 21.5 Testing the calcaneal tendon reflex.

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.

Figure 21.6 Testing the plantar reflex.

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.

Figure 21.7 Setting up the BIOPAC® equipment.

BIOPAC® MP36/35 unit Headphones

Hand switch

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.

Figure 21.8 Example of waveforms during the calibration procedure.

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.

Figure 21.9 Example of waveforms during the recording of data.

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.