Golgi Tendon Reflex - Steps

Steps

A tendon reflex operates as follows:

  1. As the tension applied to a tendon increases, the Golgi tendon organ (sensory receptor) is stimulated (depolarized to threshold).
  2. Nerve impulses (action potentials) arise and propagate into the spinal cord along a sensory neuron.
  3. Within the spinal cord (integrating center), the sensory neuron activates an inhibitory interneuron that makes a synapse with a motor neuron.
  4. The inhibitory neurotransmitter inhibits (hyperpolarizes) the motor neuron, which then generates fewer nerve impulses.
  5. The muscle relaxes and relieves excess tension.

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