Question

Which is faster: Monosynaptic or Polysynaptic?

Answer 1

Monosynaptic:

1. Monosynaptic reflexes involve only two neurons, one sensory and one motor.
2. Because neural transmission at synapses takes some time, the more synapses encountered in a reflex pathway, the more time it takes to affect the reflex.

Polysynaptic:

A reflex response involves the transmission of an electrical impulse from a somatic cell, afferent neuron, or nerve cell, to a particular neuron via at least one connecting neuron in the spinal cord.

Polysynaptic reflexes are slower than monosynaptic responses:

1. Very big, rapid, densely myelinated sensory fibres carry information in the dorsal root for monosynaptic responses. They are more efficient.
2. The majority of polysynaptic fibres are smaller in diameter, and some are not myelinated at all, thus they conduct significantly more slowly, and there is a delay every time a synapse is formed.