The Reflex Arc Pathway
Part of Reflex Arc · GCSE GCSE Biology revision
This deep dive covers The Reflex Arc Pathway within Reflex Arc for GCSE Biology. Topic 3: Reflex Arc It is section 4 of 15 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 4 of 15
Practice
13 questions
Recall
12 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.
Keep building this topic
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Practice Questions for Reflex Arc
Which word best describes a reflex action?
State the correct order of the reflex arc pathway from stimulus to response. Name each component.
Quick Recall Flashcards
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