Home > Reflex action

1 Reaction time

For a reflex, reaction time is the time from the onset of a stimulus until the organism responds.

2 Mechanism

A reflex mechanism involves a receptor organ, and effector organ, and some type of communication network.

Reflex actions seen in adult humans include:

• Accommodation reflex
• Achilles reflex
• Anocutaneous reflex
• Babinski reflex
• Biceps stretch reflex
• Brachioradialis reflex
• Crossed extensor reflex
• Mammalian diving reflex
• Gag reflexThe gag reflex is a reflex contraction of the back of the throat that prevents objects from entering the throat except as part of normal swallowing. This helps prevent choking. Touching the soft palate evokes a strong gag reflex in most people, although p
• Gastroc-Soleus reflex
• Light reflex
• Patellar reflexThis reflex employs only two neurons. Striking the patellar ligament just below the patella stretches the quadriceps tendon. This stimulates sensory receptors that trigger an impulse in a sensory neuron that leads to the lumbar region of the spinal cord. ( knee-jerk reflex )
• Photic sneeze reflexPhotic sneeze reflex (also whimsically called ACHOO a backronym for Autosomal dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst is a medical condition by which people exposed to bright light involuntarily sneeze. It has been suggested that the photic sneeze r
• Pupillary reflex
• Quadriceps reflex
• Salivation
• ShiveringShivering is a human bodily function in response to cold. When the core temperature of the body drops, the shivering reflex is triggered. Muscle groups around the vital organs begin to shake in small movements in an attempt to create warmth by expending e
• SneezeA sneeze is the semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air from the nose. A sneezer exhales with a speed of up to 146 m/s (312 miles per hour). An unimpeded sneeze sends two to five thousand bacteria-filled droplets into the air. Sneezing is generally c
• Triceps stretch reflex
• Vestibulo-ocular reflexThe vestibulo-ocular reflex or VOR, is a reflex eye movement that stabilizes images on the retina during head movement by producing an eye movement in the direction opposite to head movement. The VOR elicits eye movements in response to both horizontal an
• Withdrawal reflex

Processes such as breathing, digestion and the maintenance of the heartbeat can also be regarded as reflex actions, according to some definitions of the term.

• suckling
• hand-to-mouth reflex
• Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex