The suckling reflex, also known as the neuro-endocrine reflex, is an automatic response in newborn infants that enables them to feed on their mother's breast milk. It is initiated when the baby's lips or mouth come into contact with the mother's nipple.
The five components of the reflex arc are:
1. Sensory receptor: The sensory receptors in the baby's lips and mouth detect the touch or pressure of the nipple.
2. Sensory neuron: The sensory neurons transmit the sensory information from the lips and mouth to the central nervous system (CNS), specifically the spinal cord and brain.
3. Integration center: The CNS integrates the sensory information and coordinates the appropriate response by activating other neurons.
4. Motor neuron: The motor neurons carry the message from the CNS back to the muscles involved in the suckling response, such as the muscles of the baby's mouth and jaw.
5. Effector: The effectors are the muscles that carry out the response, in this case, the muscles that control the suckling motion of the baby's mouth.
Overall, this reflex arc allows the baby to instinctively latch onto the nipple, stimulate milk flow, and initiate the feeding process.
What is suckling reflex/neuro-endocrine reflex?
Identify the 5 components of the reflex arc.
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1 answer