Biology 1: Reflexes Lab
Written by Elena Koslover and Jennifer Cabello
If someone throws a ball towards your head, you may react by catching the ball, by ducking, or by blinking and turning your head. In each case, you must sense the arrival of a signal (ie: the sight of the ball flying towards you), process this information and react to it. In this lab, you will explore how your nervous system allows you to react to signals from the world around you. You will measure your reaction times to various visual and auditory stimuli and observe the effects of several variables on these reaction times. You will also elicit and observe some innate reflexes.
The lab consists of three stations, to be done in order. In the Ruler Station, you measure your reaction time by catching a falling ruler. In the Computer Station, you will use an application that tracks your reaction time to visual and auditory stimuli. In the Reflex Station, you will observe a couple of innate reflexes that are often used for diagnostic purposes. Each section contains questions for discussion.
- 1 meter stick for every 2 students (or fewer if they work in larger groups)
- calculator
- computer (running MacOS or Linux), with python installed, working mouse
- headphones if using more than 1 computer at a time
- penlight or small flashlight (1 or 2)
- place where students can sit so that their legs dangle freely
- piece of cardboard