Stretch reflex with reciprocal inhibition is (less/more) involved.

Stretch reflex with reciprocal inhibition is (less/more) involved.

• A. Less
• B. More
• C. Equally
• D. Not Involved

Answer: (B)

The stretch reflex with reciprocal inhibition is more involved. When a muscle is stretched, it triggers a monosynaptic stretch reflex that activates the stretched muscle. At the same time, the same sensory input engages Ia inhibitory interneurons that suppress the antagonist muscle. This adds an extra, polysynaptic step to the reflex, coordinating the response by both exciting the agonist and inhibiting the antagonist. Because this additional inhibitory pathway is engaged, the reflex arc is more complex than a simple stretch reflex alone, making it more involved.

The stretch reflex with reciprocal inhibition is more involved. When a muscle is stretched, it triggers a monosynaptic stretch reflex that activates the stretched muscle. At the same time, the same sensory input engages Ia inhibitory interneurons that suppress the antagonist muscle. This adds an extra, polysynaptic step to the reflex, coordinating the response by both exciting the agonist and inhibiting the antagonist. Because this additional inhibitory pathway is engaged, the reflex arc is more complex than a simple stretch reflex alone, making it more involved.