In this lab, we tested all our different reflexes. We started with our photo pupillary reflex and tested this by covering our eye for an extended period of time and then revealing it to the light. When we did this the pupil expanded to allow more light to enter the eye. This reflex most likely evolved because early humans used to live in caves and when they had to go outside, they needed to be able to adjust from total darkness to light very quickly in order to be alert in case of danger. Next, we tested our patellar reflex by using a reflex hammer and lightly hitting the person under the knee. Their leg would immediately kick out when this was done correctly. This reflex most likely occurs to help people maintain their balance and catch themselves if they begin to fall. Then, we tested the same reflex, but after the person had done 30 air squats. When we did our experiment, we found that the reflex was more vigorous. We hypothesized that this was most likely because the squats simulated the body being off balance so the reaction was more intense. Next, we tested the plantar reflex by running a pen cap up the care bottom of a foot. When I did this, my partner's toes curled and got closer together. This was a normal response. Lastly, we did an experiment to test our response time. One person stood with their hand out and the other stood next to them and held the ruler above their hand. When the person was not expecting it, the person holding the ruler would drop it and the other person would catch it. Each distance correlated to specific time and we were able to calculate our average reaction time. Then, we did the same experiment, but this time, the person who was supposed to catch the ruler was texting. When we calculated the average time for this experiment, we found that the reaction time was significantly slower.
Claims, Evidence, Reasoning:
I. The reflex tested in part one was the photo pupillary reflex. This is the reflex that allows the pupil to increase or decrease in diameter depending on the amount of light entering the eye at the time. In our experiment, you see clear evidence that this reflex is functioning as we watched the pupil expand as the eye was revealed to light after time in the dark. We believed that this reflex was developed as a way of quickly adapting from dark to light or vice versa.
II. The reflex that we tested in this section of the lab was the patellar reflex. This is the reflex that causes your leg to kick when your knee is hit below the kneecap. My partner and I's patellar reflexes are working well as we both kicked our legs out when we were tapped. We believe that this reflex occurs as a way of keeping oneself balanced or to help us catch ourselves if we begin to fall.
III. The next reflex was the blink reflex. This is reflex is a result of our natural reaction to blink when something gets too close to our eyes. We saw that this reflex is very active as the person blinked almost immediately as the cotton ball was thrown. People have the blink reflex in order to protect their eyes from any debris or objects that get too close.
IV. In this section of the lab, we tested the plantar reflex. The plantar reflex is an important test to determine neurological health. When your toes flex and move close together, that is an indication of a healthy nervous system and is also the typical response for people. But, if your toes spread apart and point upward, that could be an indication of a more serious condition called Babinski's sign. In our experiment, my partner's reflex was perfectly normal as her toes flexed, moved close together, and pointed downward. This all occurred due to the healthy condition of the myelinated fibers.
V. The last reflex that we tested was our reaction time. This specific reflex measures how fast it takes the visual information to travel to your brain and then for your brain to send a motor command to the muscles in your arm and hand to grab the ruler. My experiment showed that every trial, my reflexes improved. However, when I did the same experiment while texting, the results were completely different. It took a much longer time for me to react while texting. This reveals how immense the danger of texting and driving can be. This specific reflex occurs as a prevention method. For example, when you are driving and the car in front of you suddenly breaks, you will break your car in response in order to avoid a car accident.
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