The reflex arc works by receiving impulse through the sensory neurons, sending the impulse through relay neurons to motor neurons, causing contraction of the limb muscles so that Juan immediately drops the hot steel utensil protecting him from a worse burn.
A reflex arc is the pathway taken by nerve impulses in a reflex action.
A reflex action is an involuntary action taken by the quickly in response to a specific stimulus.
Reflex actions are almost automatic without prior thought by the brain; for example patellar reflex or quickly dropping a hot object when it is touched.
In a reflex arc, the brain is usually not involved. Most reflex arcs involve three neurons:
- sensory neurons
- relay neurons, and
- motor neurons
When Juan picks up a steel utensil and immediately drops it because it’s extremely hot, the action performed by Juan is a reflex action and the nerve impulse follows a reflex arc.
The the reflex arc works to protect Juan from a worse burn in the following way:
Sensory neurons receives the impulse from pain receptors in the skin. This initiates an action potential which travels to the synapse with a relay neuron in the spinal cord.
By means of neurotransmitters, an action potential is initiated in the relay neuron which then travels down to the synapse of the relay neuron with one or more motor neurons.
The impulse received by the motor neurons is then transmitted to the muscles of the limbs causing them to contract and Juan quickly drops the hot steel utensil.
Therefore, the reflex arc works by receiving impulse through the sensory neurons, sending the impulse through relay neurons to motor neurons, causing contraction of the limb muscles so that Juan immediately drops the hot steel utensil protecting him from a worse burn.
Learn more about reflex arc and neurons at: https://brainly.com/question/894334
