Question

Help.

Answer 1

so we did this thing where we had a meter stick. we worked in pairs. so we had to catch the meter stick as quickly as possible. and record where our hand landed on the meter stick.we recorded the measurements. and the purpose was to examine how reflexes work and how they can be affected by a distraction.

Answer 2

so my question is: like what was going on in our nervous system as i was doing this? we had to record when we were paying attention and when we were distracted.

Answer 3

@thomaster

Answer 4

@sraone88

Answer 5

can i know what is meter stick

Answer 6

a meter stick is a device to measure. like a ruler, or a yard stick. are you familiar with these?

Answer 7

@thomaster

Answer 8

ike what was going on in our nervous system as i was doing this? by this i mean doing this experiment of trying to catch the meter stick as fast as i could while i was paying attention and when i was distracted.

Answer 9

okay when you pay attention you focus on the stick. When you see the stick flying, the sensory neurons in your eye send signals to the brain. this signal goes to the vision area of the brain. meanwhile, the coordination area of the brain is calculating when and where the stick will land. It will send a signal to motor neurons in your arm and fingers. motor neurons controll when muscles are used. So based on the vision signal you respond by catching it.

When you get distracted it takes longer in the brain to get a signal from the vision area to the coordination area. This is because you are busy with more things than the stick and more signals are being processed in the brain. this causes a delay and you won't be able to fully focus on the stick and probably won't catch it in time.

Answer 10

okaii thanks a lost :)

can i ask you one more question?

Answer 11

* a lot

Answer 12

so im guessing that trying to catch the meter stick while you were concentrated was easier, right? it was easier than when you were distracted?

Answer 13

that's correct yes

Answer 14

so you know that when you are driving, you can use cell phones since they are a distraction. So, using cell phones while driving is bad, right? but like why? i want to connect and support my answer using the nervous system and how it acts when your distracted.

also, they say that texting while driving is not as bad and distracting as talking on the phone while driving.. this is incorrect, right? they are equally as distracting while driving?

Answer 15

you can't**

Answer 16

and why? for the questions about driving? like a explanation.

Answer 17

first of all texting is way more distracting then talking on the phone while driving because with texting you are looking at your phone instead of the road. With calling while driving you can pay attention to the road but your thoughts will be mostly at the phone call.

Answer 18

sorry your thoughts will be partially at the call not mostly.

Answer 19

otherwise handsfree calling would be dangerous too :P

Answer 20

oh okaii... but how does this connect with the nervous system?

Answer 21

well the thing about calling while driving is that you are holding your phone. It's not save to drive with only 1 hand on the wheel. handsfree calling while driving is a distraction because your brain is busy with processing the information from the call. with driving your eyes send loads of information about the road and other cars to your brain. the coordination part meanwhile is busy sending signals to your feet and arms for gas/brake and steering.
If you're calling your ears send info about the call to your brain and the coordination part is sending signals to the lips for speech. So your coordination is busy with 2 things at the same time. At that point you are distracted. Also you are thinking about the info from the call and about the info from the road at the same time. these signals can interfere with eachother and cause delay.

When you call while driving you'll experience that it's hard to concentrate on 2 things.
Same as for drunk driving. The alcohol causes a delay in the signals that are processed in the brain. because of that you cannot respond in time. the coordination area has to know what to do and if the info from the vision area is too late, you won't catch the stick, or you get a car accident.

Answer 22

Or do you need more detailed information on cellular level of what happens in the brain neurons?

Answer 23

first of all, thank you @thomaster for your help and time :D
I am more than happy with this explanation, it was just for me to get a good understanding on it. I'll do more in depth research later. Thank you :)
If i need anymore help, i will surely come to you :D