In this lab, we basically tested different reflexes and observed differences in reaction times. A reflex is defined as an unlearned, automatic reaction to a stimulus. Sometimes, when there is a stimulus, a quick response is needed, so the brain is actually not involved with coordinating the response. Instead, the sensory neurons pass into the spinal chord instead and produce a quick reflex response that doesn't need the brain. We looked at many reflexes today, and below is a recap and CER on each experiment.
1. Photopupillary Reflex
In this experiment, one partner covered one eye from a light for several minutes, then the eye was uncovered, a light was shined into the eye, and observations in pupil size change were recorded. The pupils would adjust in size based on the amount of light it is receiving. When we performed this experiment, after a period of darkness followed by sudden bright light, we observed that the pupil would become smaller than the other eye. This change in pupil size is called pupil dilation, and is due to the fact that different amounts of light into the eye to provide better vision in environments with more or less light. This is likely a very useful tool for us and our ancestors as better vision allows us to recognize potential dangers quicker and make a safe decision.
2. Knee Jerk Reflex
This was one of the classic reflex experiments where you tap the knee with a knee hammer and see how fast the reflex occurs, in which the leg kicks out. We then had to do at least 30 squats and repeat the experiment. We recorded and compared our observations. Our claim is that the knee reflex is more prominent and is faster in the trial without doing air squats prior to the testing. When we did the experiment, my leg kicked out a lot harder and higher in the first trial, and in the second trial, my leg kicked much lower and it was noticeably slower. The reason for this is because after you do squats, the muscles in your leg become tired, so the reflex does not occur as quickly.
3. Blink Reflex
This was also another classic reflex to test. It involved holding a clear sheet (in our case plastic wrap) in front of our faces while a cotton ball was thrown at our face. The observations were then recorded. When an object is thrown toward the face, in particular the upper region of the face around the eyes, the person will blink in response. This was observed in our experiment as in both trials, the tested subject blinked when the cotton ball was thrown at the face. This is due to the body's natural inclination to protect its eyes from harm as they are vital organs and important for survival. By blinking and closing the eyes, it lessens the chance that something harmful will come in direct contact with the eye.
4. Babe, what's your sign?
This was the most interesting lab to me as I had never done this before. In this lab one person would run a pen with firm pressure down the tested subject's foot. We then observed the response. The toes clench together when a pen is run down the foot, and if it doesn't, then there is a possibility of nerve damage. Our evidence is that when we did the experiment, both of us experienced the toe curling response. This is due to a body response in which when you are about to step on something that can be harmful, the toes try to curl away to avoid it. If the toes remain spread out, then there is a much higher chance of damaging the foot.
5. How fast are you? (Reaction Time)
In this experiment, we tested reaction time rather than a body reflex. One partner would hold a yardstick with the other person's hand just below it. The yardstick was dropped within 5 seconds and then the measurement of where the person caught it was recorded. This process was repeated three times and then three more times while texting, and the measurements were then converted to reaction times. The reaction time was much faster when the person catching the yardstick is not distracted by texting. Although my reaction time remained the same with and without texting (from 0.23 seconds to 0.23 seconds), that was a discrepancy. In our class data, we observed the trend where texting heavily increased reaction time, as it is clearly visible in the graph below. The male and female average response without texting was around 0.18 seconds, while the average with texting increased to around 0.26 seconds. The reaction time is slower when you text because your brain is incapable of multitasking. This translates to texting while driving, and suggests that texting while driving is very dangerous as a person will react much slower in a dangerous situation. There is also a picture of catching the yardstick at one of the trials.
1. Photopupillary Reflex
In this experiment, one partner covered one eye from a light for several minutes, then the eye was uncovered, a light was shined into the eye, and observations in pupil size change were recorded. The pupils would adjust in size based on the amount of light it is receiving. When we performed this experiment, after a period of darkness followed by sudden bright light, we observed that the pupil would become smaller than the other eye. This change in pupil size is called pupil dilation, and is due to the fact that different amounts of light into the eye to provide better vision in environments with more or less light. This is likely a very useful tool for us and our ancestors as better vision allows us to recognize potential dangers quicker and make a safe decision.
2. Knee Jerk Reflex
This was one of the classic reflex experiments where you tap the knee with a knee hammer and see how fast the reflex occurs, in which the leg kicks out. We then had to do at least 30 squats and repeat the experiment. We recorded and compared our observations. Our claim is that the knee reflex is more prominent and is faster in the trial without doing air squats prior to the testing. When we did the experiment, my leg kicked out a lot harder and higher in the first trial, and in the second trial, my leg kicked much lower and it was noticeably slower. The reason for this is because after you do squats, the muscles in your leg become tired, so the reflex does not occur as quickly.
3. Blink Reflex
This was also another classic reflex to test. It involved holding a clear sheet (in our case plastic wrap) in front of our faces while a cotton ball was thrown at our face. The observations were then recorded. When an object is thrown toward the face, in particular the upper region of the face around the eyes, the person will blink in response. This was observed in our experiment as in both trials, the tested subject blinked when the cotton ball was thrown at the face. This is due to the body's natural inclination to protect its eyes from harm as they are vital organs and important for survival. By blinking and closing the eyes, it lessens the chance that something harmful will come in direct contact with the eye.
4. Babe, what's your sign?
This was the most interesting lab to me as I had never done this before. In this lab one person would run a pen with firm pressure down the tested subject's foot. We then observed the response. The toes clench together when a pen is run down the foot, and if it doesn't, then there is a possibility of nerve damage. Our evidence is that when we did the experiment, both of us experienced the toe curling response. This is due to a body response in which when you are about to step on something that can be harmful, the toes try to curl away to avoid it. If the toes remain spread out, then there is a much higher chance of damaging the foot.
5. How fast are you? (Reaction Time)
In this experiment, we tested reaction time rather than a body reflex. One partner would hold a yardstick with the other person's hand just below it. The yardstick was dropped within 5 seconds and then the measurement of where the person caught it was recorded. This process was repeated three times and then three more times while texting, and the measurements were then converted to reaction times. The reaction time was much faster when the person catching the yardstick is not distracted by texting. Although my reaction time remained the same with and without texting (from 0.23 seconds to 0.23 seconds), that was a discrepancy. In our class data, we observed the trend where texting heavily increased reaction time, as it is clearly visible in the graph below. The male and female average response without texting was around 0.18 seconds, while the average with texting increased to around 0.26 seconds. The reaction time is slower when you text because your brain is incapable of multitasking. This translates to texting while driving, and suggests that texting while driving is very dangerous as a person will react much slower in a dangerous situation. There is also a picture of catching the yardstick at one of the trials.
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