innate reflex

biology

Also known as: inherited reflex

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

In biology, a reflex is an immediate, often simple, response to a specific stimulus. Many reflexes are innate, meaning they are inborn and hereditary, forming the basis of instinctive behavior in animals. In humans, innate reflexes are crucial for functions like adjusting vision, orienting the body, and managing feeding.1

The neurological pathway controlling a reflex is called a reflex arc. This arc typically involves sensory neurons that detect a stimulus and transmit signals to interneurons, which then activate motor neurons. These motor neurons command muscles or glands (effectors) to perform the reflex action. While some reflexes involve a simple two-neuron arc, most are more complex, incorporating additional neurons that allow for integration with other parts of the nervous system. Examples of simple reflexes include the knee-jerk response and blinking when the eye is touched.21

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reflex
…placental mammals appear to be innate. They are hereditary and are a common feature of the species and often of the genus. Reflexes include not only such simple acts as chewing, swallowing, blinking, the knee jerk, and the scratch reflex, but also stepping, standing, and mating. Built up into complex…
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…placental mammals appear to be innate. They are hereditary and are a common feature of the species and often of the genus. Reflexes include not only such simple acts as chewing, swallowing, blinking, the knee jerk, and the scratch reflex, but also stepping, standing, and mating. Built up into complex…
Read More