Question

Give scientific reasons for the following statement:

Watering of the mouth on seeing food is called reflex action.

Answer 1

Reflex action:

1. Reflex action is an involuntary action that occurs in response to an external stimulus (touch, pain, light, etc.).
2. The spinal cord plays an important role in reflex action. It forms a connection between the nerves and the brain.

Reasons for watering of mouth on seeing food:

1. Watering of mouth on seeing food is an example of conditioned reflex action.
2. Conditioned or acquired reflexes are those that are developed during one’s lifetime. This type of reflex action is acquired after birth by applying a stimulus. This stimulus is a conditioned stimulus.
3. The mouth starts watering (salivation) on seeing food. But if we haven’t tasted the food earlier the salivation would not occur. It means the brain remembers the smell or taste of the food.