This deep dive covers The Reflex Arc Pathway within Reflex Arc for GCSE Biology. Topic 3: Reflex Arc It is section 3 of 14 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 3 of 14
Practice
15 questions
Recall
20 flashcards
The Reflex Arc Pathway
The reflex arc pathway is the sequence of events that occurs when a stimulus triggers a reflex. It consists of:
- Receptor: A specialised cell (or nerve ending) that detects a stimulus such as pain, pressure, light, or heat.
- Sensory neurone: Carries the electrical impulse from the receptor to the spinal cord.
- Relay neurone: Located within the spinal cord; connects the sensory neurone to the motor neurone and coordinates the reflex response within the CNS.
- Motor neurone: Carries the impulse from the spinal cord back out to the effector.
- Effector: A muscle or gland that responds — for example, a muscle contracts to withdraw from the stimulus.