The two organ systems most responsible for your reaction of jerking your hand away after touching a hot stovetop are the nervous system and the muscular system.
-
Nervous System: This system is responsible for detecting the heat through sensory receptors in your skin. When you touch something hot, the sensory nerves quickly send a signal to the spinal cord and brain, leading to a reflex response.
-
Muscular System: Upon receiving the signal from the nervous system, the muscles in your arm contract to quickly pull your hand away from the hot surface. This is an example of a reflex action, which occurs automatically and rapidly to protect the body from harm.
Together, these two systems work to protect you from injury.