Reflex actions (AQA GCSE Biology): Flashcards

Brain and spinal cord

Control centre that coordinates body responses

Muscles or glands that carry out response to stimulus

Change in surroundings (e.g., heat or light)

Detects changes in environment

Automatic, rapid, innate

Control body functions & help avoid danger quickly

Pathway nerve signals follow during a reflex

Stimulus→Receptor→Sensory neurone→Relay neurone→Motor neurone→Effector→Response

Tiny gap where neurones meet

Chemical messengers that cross synapses

One direction only

Synapses are slower