In this lab, we conducted multiple experiments to test our reflexes and reactions times. A reflex is an automatic response to a stimulus--often the reaction happens with out a signal being processed by the brain. Instead, the signal is passed to the spinal cord for a faster response to the stimuli. In the first experiment, we tested the reaction of the iris to light. One partner covered her eyes for 2 minutes and then the other partner shined light onto the eye after the 2 minutes. We observed that the pupil constricted in the bright light and dilated when it was dark. The eye adjusts the amount of light that enters the eye to enable us to have optimal vision in all conditions.
In the second experiment, we tested the knee jerk reflex by hitting the knee with a knee hammer and observing whether the leg shot up or not in response. Then we performed the same procedure after doing 30 squats to see if the reflex was heightened or slowed. We saw that the reflex was faster and more prominent after the squats, maybe because the blood was pumping and the neurons were more sensitive after exercise.
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In the second experiment, we tested the knee jerk reflex by hitting the knee with a knee hammer and observing whether the leg shot up or not in response. Then we performed the same procedure after doing 30 squats to see if the reflex was heightened or slowed. We saw that the reflex was faster and more prominent after the squats, maybe because the blood was pumping and the neurons were more sensitive after exercise.
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In the third experiment, we tested the blink reflex. A clear sheet was help in from of our faces and a cotton ball was thrown at the face. The person behind the plastic blinked without fail each time the cotton ball was thrown. The body does this because the eyes are a very important part of the body and should be protected from incoming objects to prevent damage.
For the fourth experiment, the plantar reflex was tested. A pen was dragged along the sole of someone's foot. In response to the stimulus, the toes scrunched up. This happened for both partners. If the nervous system is damaged, the toes would have spread apart and up. Perhaps this reflex is to protect the foot from too much damage if you step on something by lifting most of the foot away from the ground.
In the fifth and final experiment, we tested our reaction time for when we are focused vs. unfocused. One partner held a meter stick and the other put her had near the bottom of the ruler. The first partner drops the ruler and the second is supposed to catch it. The inches in which partner 2 catches the meter stick was recorded and translated into a time measurement to approximate how fast the reaction time was. For the unfocused version, the same experiment was performed except the person catching the ruler was not texting at the same time. My average reaction time when focused was 0.11 seconds while my unfocused time was 0.193. Caroline's times had a similar pattern, her first average being 0.13 and the second being 0.2 seconds. The distracted response time was slower because the brain is now multitasking and had to split the focus between two things.
In the fifth and final experiment, we tested our reaction time for when we are focused vs. unfocused. One partner held a meter stick and the other put her had near the bottom of the ruler. The first partner drops the ruler and the second is supposed to catch it. The inches in which partner 2 catches the meter stick was recorded and translated into a time measurement to approximate how fast the reaction time was. For the unfocused version, the same experiment was performed except the person catching the ruler was not texting at the same time. My average reaction time when focused was 0.11 seconds while my unfocused time was 0.193. Caroline's times had a similar pattern, her first average being 0.13 and the second being 0.2 seconds. The distracted response time was slower because the brain is now multitasking and had to split the focus between two things.
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