Loading…
Loading…
GCSE Biology · key term
A rapid, involuntary response to a stimulus.
Used by OCR
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
Revise: Reflex ArcsTouching something dangerously hot can make you pull your hand away before you consciously decide to move it. This rapid, involuntary response is a reflex. Reflexes help protect the body from harm.
A ruler-drop test measures a person's reaction time to a stimulus; catching the ruler is not a reflex.
Do not assume every reflex has an identical pathway. The standard withdrawal-arc diagram includes a relay neurone, whereas the main knee-jerk pathway connects sensory and motor neurones directly.
Create a free account to read GCSE Biology revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.