Question

Explain the parts of the reflex arc that are involved in cardiac changes on exercise. Connect changes to heart rate after exercise to homeostasis.

Answer 1

There are 5 parts of reflex arc

1. Receptors- It is a part where stimulus is received and action potential is generated.

2. Sensory neuron- These are afferent fibers which carry information from receptors to interneurons.

3. Interneurons- it synapses with sensory neurons and motor neurons Relay information to motor neurons.

4. Motor neuron- These are efferent fibers which carry information from spinal cord to effector organ that is cardiac muscle.

5. Effector organ- which can be anyone but in our case it is cardiac muscle. According to information received from efferent fibers respond accordingly.

During Exercise there is increased requirement of oxygen. So to supply this Oxygen there should be increased blood flow to that region. So stimulus is generated and it s received by receptors and action potential is generated. Afferent fibers carry Action potential to in interneurons from their it's sent to motor neurons and there is contraction of cardiac muscle. Which is basically ventricular contraction which causes increases stroke volume and this intern causes increased cardiac output.