Reaction Times

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Reaction Times

Plan: - I am planning to investigate about the reaction times on the

swiftness of the thumb, starting and stopping a stopwatch. The speed

of my hand, catching a 1m ruler falling and a braking reaction. The

purpose of this investigation is to test my reaction times during

these three experiments and to determine if the reaction (response) is

a reflex action or a conscious action.

A Reflex action happens automatically. This type of response does not

have to be learned - e.g. we blink when an object comes close to the

eye unexpectedly, and the size of the pupil changes according to the

amount of light entering it. The advantage of reflex actions is that

they happen very fast. In a simple reflex action, the nerve impulses

pass from a receptor along a sensory neurone to a relay or connecting

neurone in the central nervous system (CNS) along a motor neurone to

an effecter, such as a gland or a muscle.

[IMAGE]Motor neurone.

A Conscious action maybe voluntary or conscious, because the brain

decides which response is the best. This type of response is learnt -

e.g. how to ride a bike or play cricket or football. In a simple

conscious action, the nerve impulses pass from a receptor along a

sensory neurone to the spinal cord, here another sensory neurone

carries the impulse to the brain, the brain decides and sends an

impulse to the motor neurone in the spinal cord which causes an

impulse to be sent out of the spinal cord by another motor neurone to

an effecter, such as a muscle.

This scientific knowledge should determine if the reactions are

reflexes or conscious actions. There are three experiments each will

be presented in 3 different tables, 3 times concentrating and 3 times

distracted (i.e. saying the next number in the sequence) This will

make 1 set of results with a average column. I will need to repeat

each set at least three times (concentrating and distracted) in order

for the results to be consistent, reliable and accurate.

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