Question

What is meant by 'reflex action'? Mention any two examples of reflex action occurring in day-to-day life.

Answer 1

Reflex actions are sudden, involuntary reactions of the body in response to stimuli. They occur without the involvement of the conscious areas of the brain. Therefore, all reflex actions are unconscious actions. The somatic nervous system is responsible for reflex arcs. The reflex arc is the path of impulses in the reflex action.

Reflex actions occur both from the brain and spinal cord which are the parts of the central nervous system. Most often these actions are mainly formed from the spinal cord. When sudden responses are required, instructions are given by the spinal cord itself. Impulses reach the brain only after that. Later conscious responses are made

eg-

• knee-jerking when the doctor taps it with a hammer
• eyes contract(pupils get smaller) when there is too much light