Why would someone's hand jerk back when they touch something hot?

This phenomenon is called the 'jerk reflex' and is controlled by an electrical pathway along the nerves in your body. Once the hot object makes contact or comes close to the skin receptors will pick up the stimulus (thermoreceptors). A transducer will then convert the stimulus into an electrical signal. This signal will travel up a sensory neuron and through the spinal cord via a relay neuron. This sends a signal to a motor neuron which carries the signal to a neuro-muscular junction. This causes the associated muscle to contract creating a jerk response, the muscle is an effector. The jerk protects the individual from pain and damage.

KC
Answered by Kayden C. Biology tutor

6748 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What types of infectious agents are there?


a) Explain how an action potential is passed across a synapse b) Label the graph below with the steps of action potential generation c) The graph shows the results of a study on two groups taking different medication, is the difference significant?


What is spermatogenesis ?


What is a reflex arc and how does it work?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning