Reflexes Lab

1. In this lab, we learned that our bodies have certain reflexes as a mechanism to protect our bodies. For example, our irises contract in the sunlight to shield us from the extra harsh light. The sensory information travels down a synapse to the brain and then responds quickly. In order to test these, we did several experiments.
2. a) The photo pupillary reflex contracts the smooth muscle of the iris to control the size of the pupil. Upon shining a phone light at my partner's eye, her pupils did contract and become smaller. This is because we need to be able to constantly adapt to our environments, and by adjusting how much light is let into our eyes, we are better able to stay alert.
b) The patellar reflex causes the knee to jerk in a monosynaptic reflex. It occurs so fast because there is only one synapse in the circuit needed to complete the reflex. This proved to be true when the knee of my partner immediately kicked out when tapping the spot of the knee. This is a good defense reflex to have evolved because at one point we would be able to quickly react to danger
c) The blink reflex is a defense barrier we create to protect ourselves. By throwing a cotton ball towards my partner's eyes, I am simulating possible danger causing her to blink without thinking.
d) The plantar's reflex is used to measure the strength of the body's communication lines. In some diseases such as MS, the signals to the brain are interrupted and therefore the reflex irregular.
e) The reaction tests for this part doesn't measure a single reflex, but your ability as a whole to respond to stimuli.

3. Texting made a much more delayed reaction time, because your brain is trying to balance focus between the ruler and composing sentences.