Answers to AQA GCSE Reflexes & Synapses (Biology)

Practice Questions

1.Describe what a reflex is

A reflex action is a rapid, automatic response to a stimulus.

2.State what is meant by the term a reflex arc

The reflex arc is the pathway of neurones that the impulse travels along.

3. Describe how a synapse works.

1.An electrical impulse arrives at the end of a neurone

2.This causes chemicals (neurotransmitters) to be released

3.Neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic gap

4. Neurotransmitter binds to receptors on the next neurone

5. This triggers a new electrical impulse in the next neurone