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Ch. 13 The Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves, and Spinal Reflexes
Martini - Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology 11th Edition
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew11th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874089Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 13, Problem 17

List, in sequence, the five steps involved in a neural reflex.

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1
Identify the first step as the activation of a sensory receptor by a stimulus, which detects a change in the internal or external environment.
Next, describe the sensory neuron transmitting the afferent impulse from the receptor towards the central nervous system (CNS).
Then, explain the integration step where the impulse is processed in the CNS, typically within the spinal cord or brain, involving one or more interneurons.
After integration, outline the motor neuron sending an efferent impulse away from the CNS to an effector organ.
Finally, state the response of the effector (such as a muscle or gland) which carries out the reflex action, completing the reflex arc.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Neural Reflex

A neural reflex is an automatic, rapid response to a stimulus that involves a specific pathway in the nervous system. It helps protect the body by enabling quick reactions without conscious thought.
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Reflex Arc Components

The reflex arc is the neural pathway that mediates a reflex. It includes five key components: receptor, sensory neuron, integration center, motor neuron, and effector, each playing a role in detecting and responding to stimuli.
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Sequence of Reflex Steps

The five steps in a neural reflex occur in order: stimulus detection by receptor, signal transmission via sensory neuron, processing in the integration center, motor neuron activation, and response by the effector organ.
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