REFLEX ACTION,

REFLEX ARC AND

INVOLUNTARY
ACTION
 REFLEX ACTION
 Reflex action is an automatic response to nerve stimulation which results in the activity
of some organ without the intervention of will.

 It is a type of protective mechanism and it protects the body from irreparable damages.

 If the reflex action is controlled by the spinal cord it is called spinal reflex

 If the reflex action is controlled by the brain, it is known as cerebral reflex action.

 Some examples of reflex action are:

 Sudden withdrawal of hands when touching hot objects.

 Closing of eyes when strong light is flashed.

 REFLEX ARC
 Reflex arc is the anatomical nervous pathway for a reflex action.

 Components of Reflex Arc

1. Receptor:
Receptor is the end organ, which receives the stimulus. When receptor is stimulated,
impulses are generated in afferent nerve.

2. Afferent Nerve:
Afferent or sensory nerve transmits sensory impulses from the receptor to center
3. Center:

Center receives the sensory impulses via afferent nerve fibers and in turn, it generates
appropriate motor impulses. Center is located in the brain or spinal cord.

4. Efferent Nerve:

Efferent or motor nerve transmits motor impulses from the center to the effector organ.

5. Effector Organ:

Effector organ is the structure such as muscle or gland where the activity occurs in
response to stimulus
 INVOLUNTARY ACTION
 Actions which take place without consciousness or willingness of an individual are
called the involuntary action.

 Digestion, heart beating, sneezing, etc are few examples of involuntary actions.
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