For the following description, identify the structures and pathways in the nervous system that are responsible for the experiences reported.
Specify whether each pathway is somesthetic or autonomic; and whether the response is reflexive or voluntary, cognitive or subconscious.
Be sure to include at least four parts of the nervous system involved in your answer.
The canopy of the forest protected the ground below from the rays of the morning sun. As they proceeded down the slope into the gully, the rocks were slick and greasy. Once, he lost his footing as the moist soil to which the moss clung gave way. His arms swung out wildly as he arched his back and pumped his legs to regain his balance – the left leg flexing to lower the center of gravity and the right leg extending straight out into space. When he was fully upright, he sat against a rock to “catch my breath”.
It was hard going in the gully, and now that his work was done, he was grateful to be climbing back into the sunlight. Only a few feet to go. His right leg was flexed at the knee and hip, and his left fully extended, Just as he transferred the weight from his left to his right foot, it happened. The soil gave way under his right foot.
He jackknifed his body hard at the waist to change his center of gravity and reached out wildly with his right hand, grabbing onto a small bush just above his shoulder. He was already tumbling down the side of the gully before he realized the pain caused by the four 2-inch long thorns that skewered his right palm. He hadn’t even known he was injured or consciously decided to let go of the bush. He only realized these things when he landed at the bottom of the gully with a loud thump.
