AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A somatic reflex is an involuntary response to a stimulus, such as pulling one’s hand away after touching a hot stove. The nervous system is split into the central nervous system (i.e., the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (i.e., nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord).

Detailed explanation-2: -If you touch something that is very hot, your hand moves away quickly before you even feel the pain. You don’t have to think about it because the response is a reflex that does not involve the brain. A reflex is a rapid, unlearned, involuntary (automatic) response to a stimulus (change in the environment).

Detailed explanation-3: -The fast, unlearned response towards a stimulus is called a reflex action. Reflex actions are controlled by the spinal cord and not by the brain. If you accidently touch a hot stove, you pull your hand away (reflex action) before the impulse is relayed to the brain by the spinal cord.

Detailed explanation-4: -An important reflex initiated by cutaneous receptors and pain receptors is the flexor reflex. We have all experienced this reflex after accidentally touching a hot stove or a sharp object, as we withdraw our hand even before we consciously experience the sensation of pain.

Detailed explanation-5: -Spinal nerves also control some of your reflexes or involuntary responses, such as pulling your hand away from a hot stove.