Science Smarts: Investigating a reflex
By Patty Rooks on October 14, 2023.
Have you ever been to the doctor and had a TON of tests and once you were home wondered why they do all of these? Well, even the simplest of tests can tell a doctor if there may be something that needs to be investigated further in order for you to be healthy. One of the tests that always intrigues me is the reflex test. Hmm… how do you think this works? Does your knee just fly up when it is hit with that tiny hammer? Why do they do this? Let’s investigate further! *Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment. Materials – Wooden spoon – Eraser – Duct tape or rubber bands – Science helper – Study chair to sit in Procedure 1. Since we do not have a reflex hammer, we need to make our own! 2. Take the wooden spoon and place the eraser on the round part. You want it to hang out over the edge in a point. 3. Tape or use the elastics to hold the eraser in place. 4. Have your science helper sit in the chair with their feet firmly planted on the floor and their hands on their lap. 5. GENTLY take your “reflex hammer” and test your helpers reflexes by GENTLY striking them just below the kneecap. 6. Observe. What is going on? The reflex that you found is called the MONOSYNAPTIC REFLEX. Did you know that this type of reflex does not need the brain in order for it to happen. Your thigh muscle stretches and sends information to the spinal cord. One it is there, it hits the ventral horn of the spinal cord and then this information is sent back to the thigh muscle causing it to contract. Amazing how this works and it ONLY involves the nerves and the spinal cord! Doctors will often test your reflex’s when you visit them in order to test for problems with your nerves, muscles and even brain function. Amazing!! Mark your calendar! Praxis Family Science Olympics will be at Medicine Hat College October 21 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. As always this is a FREE event if you attend with at least one adult over the age of 18. Keep reading here each week for a sneak peak! Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403-527-5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca. 20-19
