So why are we able to move (or seem to move) lightning fast when we have a reflex, but we are unable to move that fast and acutely at will?
In: Biology
This is a very good question and the answer is actually very interesting, especially when you’re someone like me who loves to learn things about how to human body works.
Usually, when you make a conscious decision to move, an electrical signal is sent from your brain down your spinal cord to your muscles which causes your muscles to contract therefore performing the action you wanted to do.
A reflex is a protective mechanism designed to prevent injury. Probably one of the easiest examples of a reflex is touching something hot. When you touch something hot, heat sensors in your fingers send an electrical signal saying “this is hot”. Usually this signal would travel to your brain via the spinal cord. However, in this situation, touching something hot is going to cause injury. So instead of sending a message all the way to the brain and all the way back to the muscles, the electrical signal goes from your fingers to your spinal cord and back to your muscles bypassing the brain entirely.
Latest Answers