Reflex action
A reflex action or reflex is a biological control system linking stimulus to response and mediated by a reflex arc. Reflexes can be built-in or learned.
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2 Mechanism 3 Out of date definition 4 See also 5 External links |
Reaction time
For a reflex, reaction time is the time from the onset of a stimulus until the organism responds.
Mechanism
A reflex mechanism involves a receptor organ, and effector organ, and some type of communication network.
Ivan Pavlov unintentionally launched the study of conditioning by establishing a way of producing what he called "conditional reflexes", i.e. reflexes that would only be seen conditional on previous experiences of the subject.
Reflex actions seen in adult humans include:
- accommodation reflex
- Achilles reflex
- Babinski reflex
- biceps stretch reflex
- brachioradialis reflex
- mammalian diving reflex
- gag reflex
- Gastroc-Soleus reflex
- light reflex
- patellar reflex
- photic sneeze reflex
- pupillary reflex
- quadriceps reflex
- salivation
- triceps stretch reflex
- vestibulo-ocular reflex
Newborn babies have a number of other reflexes which are not seen in adults, including:
- suckling reflex
- hand-to-mouth reflex
- Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex
Out of date definition
In medicine, a reflex a.k.a. a reflex action is an involuntary reaction of the body to a stimulus. It is performed in consequence of an impulse or impression transmitted along afferent nerves to a nerve center, from which it is reflected to an efferent nerve, and so calls into action certain muscles, organs, or cells.