Biology HW Week 3

4.
A. A voluntary action is an action which you initiate by your own conscious. A reflex action
are involuntary and they occur when not under the control of the will.
B. The reflex actions are controlled by the reflex arc, and its job is to initiate and very quick
response when the safety of an organism is at risk. The reflex arc is the nerve pathway
which enables it to make such a fast and automatic response possible; the signals may
be passed from a sensory neuron, via a relay neuron, and lastly to a motor neuron for
instant, unthinking action. Its value is quite high.
C. I) Stimulus is the rubber hammer, receptor is the knee cap (sensory neuron),
coordinator is the relay neuron (nerve pathway to brain), effector is the motor neuron
(muscle), and the response is a reflex action (the knee would react).
II) Stimulus is the drawing pin, receptor is the foot (sensory neuron), coordinator is the
relay neuron (nerve pathway to brain), effector is the motor neuron (muscles) and the
response is a reflex action (the foot would react).
III) Stimulus is the fast movement of the hands and loud sound off the clap, receptor is
the eyes and ears (sensory neuron), coordinator is the relay neuron (nerve pathway to
brain), effector is the motor neurone (muscles), and the response is a reflex action (head
moves backwards or hands are moved to stop the disturbance).