2b Conscious and Unconscious responses

• Conscious responses are intentional and voluntary, initiated by the brain and carried out by the Somatic Nervous System through skeletal muscle movement
• Sensory stimuli are detected by sensory receptors, then sensory neural information travels up Afferent pathways in the Somatic Nervous System to the Spinal Cord and then to the Brain for processing and coordination of a conscious motor response
• Unconscious responses are automatic and involuntary, involving the Autonomic Nervous System controlling physiological responses of visceral muscles, organs, and glands
• The Spinal Reflex is an automatic and unconscious response where dangerous sensory stimuli trigger sensory receptors, leading to a motor response without conscious awareness involving the Spinal Cord and skeletal muscles