Which reflex shows the least synaptic delay?
Question
Which reflex shows the least synaptic delay?
Solution
The reflex that shows the least synaptic delay is the monosynaptic reflex, such as the patellar (knee-jerk) reflex. This is because it involves only one synapse between the sensory neuron that receives the stimulus and the motor neuron that responds to it. Here are the steps:
- A stimulus, such as a tap on the patellar tendon, activates sensory receptors in the muscle.
- This generates an action potential in the sensory neuron, which travels to the spinal cord.
- In the spinal cord, the sensory neuron synapses directly with a motor neuron. This is the only synapse involved, hence the term 'monosynaptic'.
- The motor neuron generates an action potential, which travels to the muscle and causes it to contract.
- This contraction is the reflex action - in this case, the 'knee-jerk'.
Because this reflex involves only one synapse, it is faster than polysynaptic reflexes, which involve two or more synapses.
Similar Questions
The brief delay between the presentation of two stimuli is known as theQuestion 1Answera.stimulus onset asynchrony.b.confounding.c.interaction.d.speed accuracy tradeoff.
Synaptic delay a- is the time needed for release of neurotransmitter from synaptic vesiclesb- the minimal delay time in the central nervous system is about 0.5 millisecondmillisecond c- is determined by the type of the neurotransmitterd- is determined by the number of postsynaptic receptors
The type of reflex which involves only one synapse between a sensory and a motor neuron, is called a reflex.
Which of the following types of sensory neurons has the fastest axonal conduction velocity?Group of answer choicescutaneous mechanoreceptorsthermoreceptorsvibration receptorsnociceptorsmuscle spindles
When an impulse reaches a synapse:
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