Question

Why is it not appropriate to use the term involuntary action for various reflexes occurring in human body?

Answer 1

Reflex action is one in which the brain is not involved but the sensory signal is received and the response initiated by the spinal cord. However, there are certain involuntary actions like the beating of the heart, breathing, the peristaltic movement of the gut etc. that are controlled by impulses through the autonomic nervous system and in such cases, the brain is involved in receiving and sending signals.