Reflex Arcs

Sensory receptor

AP is generated in the sensory neuron if this is strong enough

Effector

Can be skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, or glands.

Motor neuron

Carries AP initiated by the integrating center to the effector

Polysynaptic reflex arc

Integrating center consists of multiple synapses involving 1 or more interneurons between a sensory & a motor neuron

Integrating center

Located within the gray matter of the CNS & transfers info from the sensory neuron to the motor neuron.

Autonomic (visceral) Refelx

Occurs when the motor response involves cardiac muscle, smooth muscles, or glands

Somatic Reflex

Occurs when the motor response is contraction of skeletal muscles

Sensory Neuron

Propagates AP & synapses w/ neurons in the spinal cord or brain stem

Contralateral

Reflex arcs that involve sensory receptors & neurons on one side of the body & motor neurons & effectors on the opposite side

Ipsilateral

Reflex arcs that involve sensory receptors, sensory nerve fibers, motor neurons, & effectors all on the same side of the body

Cranial reflexes

Reflexes mediated by cranial nerves

Spinal Reflex

Reflexes mediated by spinal nerves

Bilateral

Reflexes that involve both sides of the body simultaneously

Reflex

Response of the effector to stimulation by the motor neuron of the reflex arc

5 Components of reflex arc

Sensory receptor, sensory neuron, integrating center, motor neuron, & effector

Integrating center of monosynaptic reflex arc

Single synapse between a sensory & motor neuron

Reflex arc

where a nerve impulse travels from the receptor through this neural pathway to an effector