What is the role of an effector in a reflex action?

In a reflex action, the role of an effector is to initiate the response. Effectors are typically muscles or glands that respond to the commands generated by the central nervous system (CNS) following the processing of sensory information. When a stimulus is detected, sensory neurons send signals to the CNS, where the information is processed, and the appropriate response is determined.

Once the decision is made, the CNS sends signals to the effectors, which carry out the response, such as contracting a muscle to move a limb away from a harmful stimulus or secreting a hormone in response to a specific trigger. This immediate reaction bypasses higher brain functions for speed, allowing an organism to respond quickly to potentially harmful situations. The importance of effectors in this process highlights their role in executing the motor response, completing the reflex arc that starts from stimulus detection to physical reaction.