Examples of monosynaptic reflex arcs in humans include the patellar reflex and the Achilles reflex. Most reflex arcs are polysynaptic, meaning multiple interneurons (also called relay neurons) interface between the sensory and motor neurons in the reflex pathway.

What is an example of a Polysynaptic reflexes?

For example, stimulation of pain receptors in the skin initiates a withdrawal reflex, which involves several synapses with several motor neurons and results in the removal of the organism or part from the stimulus.

What is an example of monosynaptic reflex?

A simple reflex that involves transmission of information from a sensory neuron to the appropriate motor neuron across a single synapse in the spinal cord. The knee-jerk reflex action is an example of a monosynaptic reflex (see stretch reflex).

What is the most common monosynaptic reflex?

The Hoffman Reflex (H-reflex) is a monosynaptic reflex brought about by electrical stimulation of Ia afferent fibers that project signals directly onto the homologous alpha motor neurons. The H-reflex is the most extensively studied reflex in both intact and CNS lesioned animal.

Why is the patellar reflex Monosynaptic?

“Mono” means one. “Synapse” just means a space between two neurons where the message transfers between them. That means, in the knee-jerk reflex, there is only one point where the message transfers between neurons, so it is monosynaptic.

Introduction to how reflexes work - reflex arc, monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes

26 related questions found

What's a Polysynaptic reflex?

Any reflex with more than one synapse (1), not counting the synapse between neuron and muscle, and hence involving one or more interneurons. In humans, all reflexes except stretch reflexes are polysynaptic.

What is Monosynaptic and Polysynaptic?

When a reflex arc consists of only two neurons, one sensory neuron, and one motor neuron, it is defined as monosynaptic. Monosynaptic refers to the presence of a single chemical synapse. ... By contrast, in polysynaptic reflex arcs, one or more interneurons connect afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor) signals.

What kind of reflex is the knee jerk or patellar reflex?

The patellar reflex, also called the knee reflex or knee-jerk, is a stretch reflex which tests the L2, L3, and L4 segments of the spinal cord.

Are Polysynaptic reflexes more complex than Monosynaptic?

What is the correct order of spinal miningeal layers sequence from outwards to inward? Why can polysynaptic reflexes produce more complicated responses than monosynaptic reflexes? Polysynaptic reflexes involve many more interneurons that can control severa muscle groups at the same time due to divergence.

What reflex is Monosynaptic?

The monosynaptic stretch reflex, or sometimes also referred to as the muscle stretch reflex, deep tendon reflex, is a reflex arc that provides direct communication between sensory and motor neurons innervating the muscle.

Are visceral reflexes Polysynaptic?

In polysynaptic reflex arcs, one or more interneurons in the gray matter constitute the integration center. ... In autonomic (visceral) reflexes, the effector is smooth or cardiac muscle, or a gland.

Which is faster Monosynaptic or Polysynaptic reflex?

Monosynaptic reflexes are faster compared to polysynaptic reflexes. This is because of the type of sensory fiber that carries information.

How many neurons are in a Polysynaptic reflex arc?

Most reflexes are polysynaptic (involving more than two neurons) and involve the activity of interneurons (or association neurons) in the integration center. Some reflexes; however, are monosynaptic ("one synapse") and only involve two neurons, one sensory and one motor.

What type of reflex is the patellar reflex quizlet?

The patellar (knee-jerk) reflex is an example of what type of reflex? It is an example of a stretch reflex.

Is patellar knee-jerk reflex somatic or autonomic?

reflexes that involve stimulation of skeletal muscles via the somatic nervous system and are under conscious control. Ex: Patellar (knee jerk) reflex. a neural pathway between the point of stimulation (receptor), to the brain or spinal cord, and to the responding organ(effector).

Why is this reflex classified as a Polysynaptic reflex?

It is like a polysynaptic spinal reflex because it is a motor response to sensory stimulation that is repeated the same way each time the “hardwired” reflex circuit is activated.

Is the crossed extensor reflex Polysynaptic?

Polysynaptic reflexes include the tendon reflex, withdrawal reflex, and crossed extensor reflex. The tendon reflex keeps you from contracting so much that you tear tendons.

What is the Polysynaptic pathway?

As the pathway of this reflex system is polysynaptic, it allows the integration of inputs from muscle, joint, and cutaneous afferents, and convergence with commands from supraspinal centers to common spinal interneurons. ... A polysynaptic pathway also mediates the effects of flexor-reflex afferent (FRA) fibers.

What does the term Monosynaptic mean?

: having or involving a single neural synapse.

What nerve Innervates the patellar reflex?

The knee jerk reflex is mediated by the L3 and L4 nerve roots, mainly L4.

What is Monosynaptic pathway?

A monosynaptic reflex, such as the knee jerk reflex, is a simple reflex involving only one synapse between the sensory and motor neurone. The pathway starts when the muscle spindle is stretched (caused by the tap stimulus in the knee jerk reflex).

What is the difference between Monosynaptic and Disynaptic?

A disynaptic effect is an effect from the one cell to another via two synapses. This means that the effect is transmitted via an intermediate cell (neuron). In contrast, a monosynaptic effect is transmitted directly from cell to cell via a single synapse.