What is Reflex Action?

The word ‘reflex’ means any sudden action. Reflex action is an automatic, rapid, spontaneous, protective quick response or reaction to a stimulus without being under control. E.g. Blinking of eyes, Touching a flame, and then withdrawing hand. In general, reflex action provides a protective pathway to prevent any injury, which helps avoid pain.

When you touch a hot plate, a reflex action occurs in which the sensory receptor in the body responds to the stimulus which in this case is heat. Then the signal is transmitted via sensory neuron to the spinal cord. Multiple Interneurons are present in the Spinal Cord which activate on receiving signal. The interneurons then activate the Motor neuron which then sends the response signal back to the muscles to produce a reflexive response. The person will automatically remove his/her hand from the plate.

Reflex action is an involuntary and automatic response to a specific stimulus. Reflex action is a type of behavior that is not consciously controlled by the brain, but rather, it is mediated by the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Reflex action is an essential survival mechanism that allows an organism to respond quickly to potentially harmful stimuli.

Understanding reflex actions is essential for healthcare professionals, as reflex testing can provide valuable information about the function of the nervous system. In this article, we will study the Reflex action, Reflex arc, and Diagram of reflex action.