Question

1) Create a flow chart to map out the steps of the knee jerk reflex. Include the specific stimulus, sensor, neuron types, integrating center, effector (specific muscle!), and response for knee jerk reflex

Stimulus ---> Sensor ---> Afferent path ---> Integrating center ---> Efferent path --->  Effector ---> Response

2) What is the value of involuntary reflexes? That is, would it be better if we could control everything our body does? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Involuntary actions as their name suggest, are total opposites of voluntary actions, a reflex action is not under the control of the will. In this case, spinal cord takes total control, without own conscious. Reflex actions controlled by the spinal cord, example scratching, are called spinal reflexes. There are also cranial reflexes, example blinking, that are controlled by the brain but not by the cerebral cortex. Brushing, sneezing and salivation are also reflex actions however, salivation is also known a conditioned reflex action.

Involuntary reflexes are valuable as they protects us from harmful situationa like falls, burns ,foreign bodies ingestions etc.

It would not be good if we could have control over everthing. Imagone you are having dinner and food enters in wind pipe. what would happen if involuntary coughing reflex does not occur in response to that.

This is where involuntary reflex comes in.. Certain nerves of the body are highly specialized, intended to serve the purpose of protecting us from ourselves (Well, certain types of damage anyway).

These specialized nerves, do things like, Close our Eyelids when an object is incoming, Cause our knee to straighten and move its ‘armor’ (Kneecap) into place to protect sensitive jointspace and ligaments, And much more.