Name: ___________________________ Class: ______________ Introduc tion Reaction time is the time between a stimulus and your response.

In other words, it is how quickly an organism can respond to a particular stimulus. The stimulus is processed by the nervous system before the organism is able to react, and the time lag is the reaction time. Stimuli may be visual (sight , auditory (hearing , tactile (touch , olfactory (smell or gustatory (taste . The model for information flow within an organism can be represented in this way! Stimulus Receptor Integrator "ffector Response #ore specifically, for vertebrates, information flow can be represented in this way! Stimulus Sensory $euron Spinal %ord or &rain #otor $euron Response Sensory neurons convert a stimulus into an electro' chemical signal, which flows the length of the sensory neuron(s , then through a neuron or neurons of the central nervous system, and then through the length of the motor neuron(s . (enerally, motor neurons will cause a muscle to contract or a gland to secrete a substance. Reactions that involve only the receptor, the spinal cord, and the effector, are faster than those which involve processing in the brain. Reactions which only travel to, through, and from the spinal cord are often called spinal refle)es or cord' mediated refle)es* withdrawing one+s hand from a hot stove is an e)ample of such a refle). In ,simple reaction time+ e)periments, there is only one stimulus and one response. %atching a dropped stick, or hitting a button when a light changes are e)amples. In ,recognition reaction time+ e)periments, there are symbols to respond to and symbols to be ignored. There is still only one correct stimulus and one response. -n e)ample would be catching a dropped stick with a word cue, while having to ignore other spoken words which are not cues. In this e)periment you will be measuring your reaction time when presented with visual, auditory and tactile stimulation. The only equipment you will need will be a meter stick. &ecause the distance an ob.ect falls is a function of time, you can measure the distance the meter stick drops and use this to calculate your reaction time. The formula for an ob.ect falling at constant acceleration is!
1 d=2 at 2

Reaction Time Lab Biology 12

/here!

d 0 the distance the ob.ect falls a 0 acceleration due to gravity, 1.2 t 0 time of fall

m s2

&e careful to control your e)periment3 4o not use more than one variable at a time.

Reaction Time Lab Biology 12

Procedur e &efore actually performing each e)periment, predict what your reaction time will be . %onsider whether it will be the same for each type of stimulation. 5ou will decide on visual, auditory and tactile cues for both a 6simple reaction time7 e)periment and a 6recognition reaction time 7 e)periment. 5our partner should hold the meter stick with the 8ero' end directly above your hand. /hen your partner drops the stick, catch it between your thumb and inde) finger as quickly as you can. Record the number of centimeters the stick fell before you caught it. 5ou may take the measurement at the bottom, middle or top of your grasp, but &" %9$SIST"$T. Take at least three measurements for each type of stimulus. Make sure you are isolating only one stimulus , e.g. don+t watch the ruler if you are testing for auditory response3 Repeat the procedure for each partner. 9nce you have collected your data, convert the distance fallen to time. Include only one sample calculation* the others can be done with a calculator. &e careful with your units. :se ; significant figures. Simple Reaction Time: 4escription of stimuli! <isual!

-uditory!

Tactile!

Reaction Time Lab Biology 12

predicted time (s <isual
trial > trial ; trial =

distance (cm
trial =

calculated time (s

average time (s

-uditory
trial > trial ; trial =

Tactile
trial > trial ;

Recognition Reaction Time: 4escription of stimuli! <isual!

-uditory!

Tactile!

predicted time (s

distance (cm

calculated time (s

average time (s

Reaction Time Lab Biology 12

Show one sample calculation (distance must be in mete rs ! t= 2d g

Conclusions: = ?or which stimulus was your reaction time best@ /hy@

> =. >. ;. B. A. ;

/hat factors might influence your reaction time or the reaction time of another test sub.ect@ (Think of at least A.

%ould you improve your reaction time@ Cow@

B =.

4escribe at least ; real' life situations that could be negatively affected by a slow reaction time.

>.

Reaction Time Lab Biology 12

;. A Cow are reaction times involved in maintaining homeostasis@