Reflex Arc: Your Body's Instant Response

Your body reacts to danger before your brain even gets the memo. It’s all thanks

to the reflex arc. When you touch something hot, a receptor in your skin sends an electrical

signal flying down a sensory neuron to your spinal cord. Instead of wasting time going to the

brain for a decision, the spinal cord immediately sends a command back down a motor neuron.

This tells your muscle to contract, and you pull your hand away instantly. Your brain only

gets the pain message *after* you've already moved. It’s your body’s built-in,

lightning-fast safety system, protecting you automatically.