Question

Fill in the blanks:
The taste of food evokes salivation by a ___ reflex while the smell of food causes salivation by a ___ reflex.

• A. unconditioned
• B. conditioned

Answer 1

Reflex

1. Reflex is a sudden, unplanned, involuntary action in response to a stimulus. It may or may not involve inputs from the brain. It is of two types based on the time they are present- conditioned and unconditioned reflexes.
2. A conditioned reflex is acquired during one’s lifetime and is not constant. Examples- Playing a musical instrument, salivation on smelling tasty food.
3. Unconditioned reflexes are present since birth and do not require us to develop a habit for them. Examples- Salivation in a newborn baby on tasting milk.
4. Salivation on tasting food is an unconditioned reflex. It is present since birth. Salivation on smelling tasty food is due to our habits and preferences. It is a conditioned reflex and is acquired after birth.

Final answer

The taste of food evokes salivation by an unconditioned reflex while the smell of food causes salivation by a conditioned reflex.