Stimulus Response Model

Stimulus

A change in an organism's environment/surroundings e.g. bright light

Stimuli

plural of stimulus

Receptor

specialized cell which respond to stimuli

Effector

Part of the body that acts in response to a stimulus. (usually the

Response

An action or change in behavior that occurs as a result of a stimulus.

Concious action

An action where the brain makes a considered response.

Conscious Action pathway

Stimulus -> Receptor -> Sensory Neuron -> Interneuron (Spinal Chord) -> Brain -> Motor Neuron -> Response

coordinator/ control center

The brain

Reflexes

are simple, automatic responses to a sensory stimuli. Examples include the knee-jerk response.

Reflex pathway

Receptor --> Sensory Neuron --> Inter Neuron in Spinal chord--> Motor Neuron --> Effector --> Response

sensory neurons

carry information from the receptor in sensory organs to spinal cord

motor neurons

carry signals to muscles from brain or spinal chord

Interneurons

connect sensory and motor neurons (located within brain and spinal chord)

sneezing

Reflex response to irritation in upper respiratory tract

Assists in removing irritant

Associated with inflammation or foreign material

blinking

Reflex response to protect eyes from objects, drying out, or infection

writing

Conscious action involving movement