What is the sequence of components in a general reflex arc following a stimulus?

The correct sequence of components in a general reflex arc following a stimulus begins with the receptor, which detects the stimulus and generates an impulse. This impulse travels along the afferent pathway to the integrating center, typically the spinal cord or brain, where the information is processed, and a response is determined. The signal is then sent out via the efferent pathway to the effector, which is usually a muscle or gland that executes the appropriate response.

This sequence—starting from the receptor and moving through the afferent pathway to the integrating center, then along the efferent pathway to the effector—highlights the fundamental process of how reflexes operate in the nervous system. Understanding this flow is crucial for grasping how reflexes are designed to provide quick and automatic responses to stimuli, which are essential for survival and bodily function.