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Examine Figure 1 - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 3 - 2003 - Paper 1
Question 3
Examine Figure 1. a. What kind of neuron is neuron M? b. The skin shown in Figure 1 is associated with a reflex arc. Outline the response that such a reflex arc co... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Examine Figure 1 - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 3 - 2003 - Paper 1
Step 1
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b. Outline the response that such a reflex arc controls and explain its importance for the body.
Answer
A reflex arc is an automatic response to a stimulus that occurs without the involvement of the brain. The skin in Figure 1 detects a potentially harmful stimulus, such as a sharp object, prompting a quick withdrawal response. This rapid reflex action is important as it helps protect the body from injury and enables faster reactions to hazardous situations, contributing to overall survival.
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c. In what way does the presence of a myelin sheath affect the function of a nerve cell?
Answer
The myelin sheath increases the rate of conduction of a nerve impulse along the axon. This is achieved through a process called saltatory conduction, where the impulse jumps between the Nodes of Ranvier, leading to faster signal transmission and more efficient communication between nerve cells.