Why aren't hunger thirst and (the need to) sleep considered reflexes?

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In summary, reflexes are automatic and involuntary responses to stimuli, typically resulting in a physical movement or activation of glandular secretion. These responses are performed without conscious thought or choice. Additionally, reflexes have a relatively simple cause and effect relationship. However, they may not be triggered by certain stimuli, such as the need to eat or drink.
  • #1
RabbitWho
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A reflex is an automatic and involuntary response of a living thing to the presence of a stimulus. A reflex is usually a movement, but it can be the activation of secretion in a gland.

Is it because there is no particular stimulus? Not having eaten, drank, slept for a while is not considered a stimulus?
Is it because you have to learn what thirst is, you have to learn that drinking solves the problem?

Thank you.
 
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A reflex is performed without conscious thought - there is no pressing conscious need to do it you just do.
Properly triggered, a reflex is something you cannot choose not to do ... where you can choose to, say, starve to death.
There is also a relatively uncomplicated cause and effect involved in a reflex.

Consider also:
do you have a "death reflex" that is triggered by the application of large quantities of high-speed lead?
 
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  • #3
Ok thanks! :)
 

1. Why are hunger, thirst, and the need to sleep not considered reflexes?

Hunger, thirst, and the need to sleep are not considered reflexes because they are not automatic, involuntary responses to a specific stimulus. Unlike reflexes such as the knee-jerk reflex, which are controlled by the spinal cord and do not involve conscious thought, hunger, thirst, and the need to sleep are complex behaviors that involve both physiological and psychological factors. While they may have some reflexive components, they are ultimately influenced by factors such as hormones, cognitive processes, and learned behaviors.

2. What controls the feeling of hunger and thirst?

Hunger and thirst are controlled by a complex interplay of physiological and psychological factors. The hypothalamus, a small region in the brain, plays a key role in regulating hunger and thirst. It receives signals from the body's digestive system and can also be influenced by hormones, such as ghrelin and leptin, which are involved in appetite and satiety. Additionally, external factors such as the sight and smell of food and drink can also trigger feelings of hunger and thirst.

3. Why do we experience the need to sleep?

The need to sleep is a biological drive that is essential for our physical and mental well-being. Sleep allows our bodies to rest, repair, and restore themselves. It also plays a crucial role in cognitive processes such as learning, memory, and emotion regulation. The exact mechanisms that control the need to sleep are still not fully understood, but it is believed that the brain's sleep-wake cycle, which is regulated by a cluster of cells in the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, is involved.

4. Can hunger, thirst, and the need to sleep be suppressed?

Yes, hunger, thirst, and the need to sleep can be suppressed under certain circumstances. For example, people can consciously suppress their feelings of hunger and thirst in order to adhere to a diet or fast. Additionally, external factors such as stress or a busy schedule can lead to individuals not feeling the need to sleep, although this can have negative effects on their health and well-being in the long run.

5. Are there any benefits to these behaviors not being reflexes?

Yes, there are benefits to hunger, thirst, and the need to sleep not being reflexes. The fact that they are not automatic and can be influenced by various factors allows us to have more control over these behaviors. This can be beneficial in situations where we need to override our basic drives, such as when we are trying to lose weight or stay awake for an important task. It also allows for individual differences and adaptability, as each person's experiences and environment can impact their hunger, thirst, and sleep patterns differently.

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