Fill in the Blank QuestionFill in the blank question.A rapid, automatic response to a stimulus is called a(n) .

A rapid, automatic response to a stimulus is called a reflex.

Reflexes are biological responses that occur without conscious thought, allowing organisms to react quickly to stimuli. For instance, when you touch a hot surface, sensory nerve endings in your skin send signals to the spinal cord, which then immediately sends a signal back to your muscles to pull your hand away. This process happens through a reflex arc, which typically involves sensory neurons, interneurons in the spinal cord, and motor neurons. Reflex actions are essential for survival, providing immediate responses to harmful stimuli before the brain is even aware of the event.