A professor unexpectedly blew a loud horn in his anatomy and physiology class. The students looked up, startled. The reflexive movements of their eyes were mediated by the a. cerebral cortex, b. inferior olives, c. raphe nuclei, d. superior colliculi, e. nucleus gracilis.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the function of each option in the context of reflexive eye movements.
2. Understand that reflexive eye movements are part of the body's response to sudden stimuli.
3. Recall that the superior colliculi are involved in visual processing and reflexive eye movements.
4. Consider the role of the cerebral cortex, which is more involved in conscious processing rather than reflexive actions.
5. Conclude that the superior colliculi are responsible for mediating reflexive eye movements in response to sudden stimuli.

Key Concepts

Reflex Arc

A reflex arc is a neural pathway that controls a reflex action. It typically involves sensory neurons that detect a stimulus, interneurons that process the information, and motor neurons that execute a response. In the context of the question, the reflexive eye movements are part of this rapid response system, allowing for quick reactions to unexpected stimuli.

Superior Colliculi

The superior colliculi are paired structures located in the midbrain that play a crucial role in visual processing and reflexive eye movements. They help coordinate head and eye movements in response to visual stimuli, making them essential for orienting attention and responding to sudden changes in the environment, such as the loud horn in the scenario.

Neural Pathways

Neural pathways are networks of neurons that transmit signals between different parts of the nervous system. They are essential for processing sensory information and executing motor responses. Understanding these pathways is vital for comprehending how the brain and spinal cord communicate to produce reflexive actions, such as the eye movements triggered by the professor's horn.