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Created page with "==Key Stage 4== ===Meaning=== The '''reflex arc''' is the path taken by an electrical impulse to cause an automatic reflex reaction...."
==Key Stage 4==
===Meaning===
The '''reflex arc''' is the path taken by an [[Impulse (Biology)|electrical impulse]] to cause an automatic [[Reflex Reaction|reflex reaction]].
===About the Reflex Arc===
: Sometimes a change in the environment is so dangerous it would cause more damage to have to think about it before reacting to it. This is the case for very high [[temperature]]s. If the [[skin]] begins to burn this will cause more damage the longer it takes to react. [[Animal]]s have [[evolution|evolved]] [[Reflex Reaction|reflex reactions]] to react quickly to prevent unnecessary damage.
: [[Reflex Reaction|Reflex reactions]] take place when an [[Impulse (Biology)|impulse]] is sent along the '''reflex arc'''.
: The [[Impulse (Biology)|impulse]] in the '''reflex arc''' does not pass to the [[brain]] to be processed. It is sent to the [[Spinal Cord|spinal cord]] then to an [[effector]]. This provides a shorter path for the [[Impulse (Biology)|impulse]] so results in a shorter reaction time.
The '''reflex arc''' can be [[describe]]d in several stages:
#[[Stimulus]] - A change to the external environment.
#[[Receptor Cell]] - A [[Specialised Cell|specialised cell]] detects the change in the environment and produces an [[Impulse (Biology)|electrical impulse]].
#[[Sensory Neuron]] - The [[Impulse (Biology)|impulse]] is [[transmit]]ted to the [[Spinal Cord|spinal cord]].
#[[Relay Neuron]] - The [[Impulse (Biology)|impulse]] is relayed from the [[Sensory Neuron|sensory neuron]] to a [[Motor Neuron|motor neuron]].
#[[Motor Neuron]] - The [[Impulse (Biology)|impulse]] is [[transmit]]ted from the [[Spinal Cord|spinal cord]] to an [[effector]].
#[[Effector]] - A [[muscle]] receives the [[Impulse (Biology)|impulse]] form the [[Motor Neuron|motor neuron]].
#[[Action]] - The [[muscle]] contracts causing part of the body to move uncontrollably.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:ReflexArc.png|center|800px]]
|-
| style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |A [[diagram]] showing the '''reflex arc'''.
|}
===Meaning===
The '''reflex arc''' is the path taken by an [[Impulse (Biology)|electrical impulse]] to cause an automatic [[Reflex Reaction|reflex reaction]].
===About the Reflex Arc===
: Sometimes a change in the environment is so dangerous it would cause more damage to have to think about it before reacting to it. This is the case for very high [[temperature]]s. If the [[skin]] begins to burn this will cause more damage the longer it takes to react. [[Animal]]s have [[evolution|evolved]] [[Reflex Reaction|reflex reactions]] to react quickly to prevent unnecessary damage.
: [[Reflex Reaction|Reflex reactions]] take place when an [[Impulse (Biology)|impulse]] is sent along the '''reflex arc'''.
: The [[Impulse (Biology)|impulse]] in the '''reflex arc''' does not pass to the [[brain]] to be processed. It is sent to the [[Spinal Cord|spinal cord]] then to an [[effector]]. This provides a shorter path for the [[Impulse (Biology)|impulse]] so results in a shorter reaction time.
The '''reflex arc''' can be [[describe]]d in several stages:
#[[Stimulus]] - A change to the external environment.
#[[Receptor Cell]] - A [[Specialised Cell|specialised cell]] detects the change in the environment and produces an [[Impulse (Biology)|electrical impulse]].
#[[Sensory Neuron]] - The [[Impulse (Biology)|impulse]] is [[transmit]]ted to the [[Spinal Cord|spinal cord]].
#[[Relay Neuron]] - The [[Impulse (Biology)|impulse]] is relayed from the [[Sensory Neuron|sensory neuron]] to a [[Motor Neuron|motor neuron]].
#[[Motor Neuron]] - The [[Impulse (Biology)|impulse]] is [[transmit]]ted from the [[Spinal Cord|spinal cord]] to an [[effector]].
#[[Effector]] - A [[muscle]] receives the [[Impulse (Biology)|impulse]] form the [[Motor Neuron|motor neuron]].
#[[Action]] - The [[muscle]] contracts causing part of the body to move uncontrollably.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:ReflexArc.png|center|800px]]
|-
| style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |A [[diagram]] showing the '''reflex arc'''.
|}