Question

What is the role of the brain in reflex action?

Answer 1

Reflex action:

1. Reflex action refers to an involuntary or immediate action by human body parts in response to stimuli.
2. Example of reflex action - Moving the hand back immediately on touching a hot object.
3. Reflex arc refers to the brain route used to carry out reflex action.
4. Sensory receptors, sensory neurons, an integrating center, motor neurons, and an effector organ make up the reflex arc.
5. The grey matter within the central nervous system acts as an integrating center.
6. The reflex is a spinal reflex when integration occurs in the gray matter of the spinal cord.
7. The reflex is known as a cranial reflex if integration takes place in the brain stem as opposed to the spinal cord.

Role of the brain in reflex action:

1. A reflex action is not directly controlled by the brain.
2. Since this action takes minimal thought and is carried out quickly, the spinal cord is primarily responsible for controlling it.