Monosynaptikus

Monosynaptikus refers to a synapse that involves a single synaptic connection between two neurons. In the nervous system, communication between neurons occurs at specialized junctions called synapses. A monosynaptic reflex arc is the simplest type of neural pathway that mediates a reflex action. It consists of a sensory neuron that directly synapses with a motor neuron. This direct connection allows for a very rapid response to a stimulus. A classic example of a monosynaptic reflex is the stretch reflex, such as the patellar reflex or knee-jerk reflex. When a muscle is stretched, sensory receptors in the muscle spindle are activated. These sensory neurons then transmit signals directly to motor neurons in the spinal cord, which in turn cause the muscle to contract. This bypasses interneurons, making the reflex exceptionally fast. In contrast, polysynaptic reflex arcs involve one or more interneurons between the sensory and motor neuron, resulting in a slower but often more complex response. The term monosynaptic is primarily used in the context of neurophysiology and reflex pathways.