Chapter 7 – Control and Coordination

This article explains reflex actions for Class 10 students, describing them as automatic, quick responses our bodies make to certain stimuli without conscious thought, like withdrawing a hand from something hot. It highlights the importance of reflex actions in protecting us from harm by bypassing slower conscious processes, using the concept of a reflex arc—a direct pathway from sensory to motor neurons within the spinal cord, allowing for immediate response.

A reflex arc is a direct, automatic neural pathway that enables quick responses to stimuli without brain involvement, crucial for protection and survival. It involves sensory neurons detecting stimuli, an integration center in the spinal cord, and motor neurons causing immediate action, like pulling away from something hot. Reflex arcs are essential for rapid, involuntary reactions to avoid harm.