Activity 2.2.

4: Its All in the Reflexes

ABSENT
Conclusion
1. Compare the reaction times for voluntary vs. involuntary activation of the quadriceps muscle. What might account for the observed differences in reaction times? Outline what has to occur in the body for each reaction to occur. Refer to your drawing from Step 24. Information from the flow chart you created in Activity 2.2.1 might also be helpful. The reaction time for involuntary activation was much faster than the voluntary one. This is because involuntary actions get to the brain faster than voluntary actions do. 2. How does your reaction time to the voluntary action of your quadriceps compare with your reaction time to the simple reaction task in Project 2.2.3? The task in this lab involved hearing a sound and reacting with your foot. The task in Project 2.2.3 involved seeing a signal and reacting with your finger. What do reaction times tell you about how these signals are processed? The simple task was easier because you didnt need to think and process the sound; all you needed to do was look at the simple image of the box and click the button. Faster reaction time often means that the task was simpler. 3. Assume the speed of a nerve impulse is 100 m/s. How does this compare to the speed of electricity in a copper wire (approximately 3.00 x 10 8 m/s)? What does this tell you about the flow of electrons in a wire compared to the movement of ions in a membrane? The speed of electricity in a copper wire is 3 million times faster than the speed of a nerve impulse which tells us that electrons facilitate the movement of electricity in a copper wire. 4. What do you think is the evolutionary significance of reflexes? Use an example to explain your reasoning. The significance of reflexes is that they help us do things like see and react and our reflexes do the job for us without us actually knowing it

2009 Project Lead The Way, Inc. HBS Activity 2.2.4 Its All in the Reflexes Logger Pro Page 1

5. Suggest two ways that reflex reactions help maintain homoeostasis in the human body. Reflexes help us react to things when we need to and they also are a thing that helps protect us and technically they keep us alive.

6. Explain how the accelerometer and the EMG electrodes work together to generate data on response time. How does the LabVIEW program help you analyze this data? (Cannot answer question, insufficient knowledge of LabVIEW program and accelerometer)

Extension Questions (Optional): 7. Nerve impulses have been found to travel as fast as 100 m/s. What could account for the difference between your answer to Question 7 and this value obtained by researchers? Researchers probably have better technology and better background knowledge and a better ability to round and estimate.

2009 Project Lead The Way, Inc. HBS Activity 2.2.4 Its All in the Reflexes Logger Pro Page 2