Question

question 3
a) give one example of a reflex. you must name a specific reflex
b) describe what happens in the reflex?

Explanation:

For part A, a common reflex is the knee - jerk reflex (patellar reflex). In part B, when the patellar tendon below the kneecap is tapped, it stretches the quadriceps muscle. This stretch is detected by muscle spindles (sensory receptors) in the muscle. The sensory neurons send a signal to the spinal cord. In the spinal cord, the sensory neuron synapses directly with a motor neuron (a monosynaptic reflex arc). The motor neuron then sends a signal back to the quadriceps muscle, causing it to contract. This contraction causes the lower leg to kick forward.

Answer:

A) Knee - jerk reflex (patellar reflex)
B) When the patellar tendon is tapped, the quadriceps muscle stretches. Muscle spindles detect this stretch and send a signal via sensory neurons to the spinal cord. In the spinal cord, the sensory neuron synapses with a motor neuron. The motor neuron sends a signal back to the quadriceps muscle, causing it to contract and the lower leg to kick forward.