Name : Loh Mei Teng

StudentID : 13WAD04678
Group : A2
Experiment Date : 13.11.2013

Title : Experiment (4) Human Reflexes

Objective :1. Define the terms reflex and reflex arc.

2. Identify and name each component of a reflex arc.
3. Explain the function of each component of a reflex arc.
4. Explain the importance of reflex testing in a physical examination.
5. Perform a knee jerk, ankle jerk, blink reflex and swallowing reflex.
6. Distinguish between a reflex and a learned response.

Introduction :
Reflex testing is an important diagnostic tool for assessing the condition of the nervous
system.Most reflexes involve the brain,but some only the spinal cord . Distorted,
exaggerated, or reflexes that are absent may indicate degeneration or pathology of portions of
the nervous system, often before other signs are apparent.If the spinal cord is damaged, then
reflex tests can help determine the area of injury. For example, motor nerves above an injured
area may be unaffected, whereas motor nerves at or below the damaged area may be unable
to perform the usual reflex activities.Closed head injuries, such as bleeding in or around the
brain, may be diagnosed by reflex testing. The oculomotor nerve stimulates the muscles in
and around the eyes. If pressure increases in the cranium, then the pressure exerted may cause
variations in the eye reflex responses.
Reflexes can be categorized as either autonomic or somatic. Autonomic reflexes are not
subject to conscious control, are mediated by the autonomic division of the nervous system,
and usually involve the activation of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands. Somatic
reflexes involve stimulation of skeletal muscles by the somatic or voluntary division of the
nervous system.Most reflexes are polysynaptical and involve the activity of interneurons in
the integration center. Some reflexes are monosynaptical and only involve two neurons, one
sensory and one motor. Since there is synaptical delay in neural transmission at the synapses,
the more synapses there are in the reflex pathway, the more time that is required to illicit the
reflex.

Results :
Investigation 1 :
Knee jerk
Result : The leg jerks forward automatically .
Discussion :
A knee-jerk reaction is an emotional rather than an analytical response to something. The
term is named after the response usually caused by the medical reflex test in which the leg
jerks forward when the tendon below the knee is struck with a rubber mallet. This is
medically known as a patellar reflex.

Parts of Reflex Arc

Description

Function

Receptor
detects the
stimulus.
sensory neuron
-conveys the sensory
info. to brain or
spinal
cord.
Interneuron:
-relay neurons.

the receptor end of a particular dendrite or

a specialized receptor cell in a sensory
organ.
Dendrite, cell body, and axon of a sensory
neuron.

sensitive to a specific type of

internal or external
change.
transmit nerve impulses from
the receptor into the brain or
spinal cord.

dendrite, cell body, and axon of a neuron

within
the brain or spinal cord.

Motor neuron
- conduct motor
output to the
peripheral
Effecter

Dendrite, cell body, and axon of a motor

neuron.

serves as processing center,

conducts nerve impulses
from the sensory neuron to a
motor neuron.
: transmits nerve impulse from
the brain or spinal cord
out to an effecter.

a muscle or gland.

Response to stimulation by the

motor neuron and
produces the reflex or
behavioral action.

Ankle jerk
Result : The foot jerks downward .
Discussion :
An ankle reflex is also referred to as an Achilles reflex. The effector muscle that is involved
in the ankle jerk reflex is gastrocnemius. It is a very strong superficial bipennate muscle that
is located in the back part of the lower leg running from its two heads just above the knee to
the heel.It takes place when the Achilles tendon is tapped while the foot is dorsi-flexed. The
normal response should be that the foot jerks downward because of the response from the
gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.

Blink jerk
Result : The eyes blink all in a sudden when my partner waving her hand in front of my eye .
Discussion :
The blink reflex is a reflex which is designed to naturally protect the eyes. Most animals with
eyes have some form of the blink reflex, and the reflex is present from the time that an animal
first opens its eyes. Abnormalities in this reflex can indicate that there is a neurological
problem and may increase the risk of incurring eye damage because the eyes are no longer
able to protect themselves reflexively.Reflexes are involuntary actions. They allow the body
to react very quickly to potentially dangerous situations by taking defensive action of some
form. In the case of the blink reflex, the blink is often over before someone is consciously
aware that there was a risk.

Swallowing reflex
Result : As the experiment go this way, the saliva in my mouth cavity is swallowing again
and again in an immediately motion , I feel the saliva move to the esophagus . But , this
swallowing action is getting difficult afterward .
Disscussion :
From this image,it illustrates the swallowing
reflex, as seen in three steps. First, a bolus is
formed as the tongue is elevated against the
palate. Second, the bolus passes through the
oropharynx as the nasopharynx is sealed by the
elevated soft palate and uvula. Lastly, the bolus
enters the esophagus as the glottis is sealed
against the epiglottis.

Investigation 2 : Reaction Time

Result :
From the experiment conducted, the table below is about the reaction timing and the length
measured of subject to catch the falling ruler .
Time ( sec )

Length ( cm )

18

15

12

Average = 18 + 15 + 12

= 15 cm

3
Discussion :
At first, my eye can sees the ruler.So, my eye sends a message to the visual cortex, which
sends a message to the motor cortex. The motor cortex sends a message to the spinal cord.
The spinal cord sends a message to the muscles in my hand or fingers. Finally ,my muscles
contract to allow my hand to catch the ruler.
.
Conclusion :
The reflex arc governs the operation of reflexes. Nerve impulses follow nerve pathways as
they travel through the nervous system. The simplest of these pathways, including a few
neurons ,constitutes a reflex arc. Reflexes whose arc pass through the spinal cord are called
spinal reflexes. All these reflexes give important information about the functioning of the
nervous system .

References :
1) Reece; Urry;Cain;Wasserman;Jackson , Campbell Biology , ninth edition ,2011,Pearson
Education.
2) www.austincc.edu/cwayne/2305Labssp08/2305Lab5HuResflexesp08.doc
3) http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-ankle-reflex.htm
4) http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/bex/4rt1.pdf