The body's physiological responses include various functions such as respiration, circulation, urine and feces, digestion, and homeostasis. Some of these functions, such as respiratory, circulatory and digestive, are passive and based on physical principles; others, such as homeostasis, are more active and depend on internal feedback mechanisms. In this article we will look at the physiological reflex in more detail.
What are physiological reflexes? Physiological reflexes are the body's automatic reactions to stimuli that lead to the action of a certain physiological system. These reactions can be either passive or active depending on which organ or system is involved. Some examples of reflexes include coughing after inhaling smoke or reacting to strong odors. Other responses are more complex and rely on different organ systems, such as the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and respiratory system. How physiological reflexes work Once a stimulus has been detected, it is transmitted through the nervous system to the brain. The brain analyzes the signal and decides what response to make. Depending on the type of reflex response, a signal may be sent to a specific organ system to produce an automatic or predetermined response. For example, if light from a car's headlights is detected, the brain sends a signal to the light-sensitive cells in the retina so that the light information is then transmitted along the visual pathway to the brain.