In a reflex action, impulses from a receptor cell first travel along a sensory neurone.

Quick Scoop: Reflex Arc Pathway

In a typical reflex arc (like quickly pulling your hand away from something hot), the sequence is:

  1. Receptor detects the stimulus.
  1. Impulse travels along a sensory neurone into the spinal cord or CNS.
  1. It then passes through a relay (interneuron) neurone.
  1. From there, it travels along a motor neurone to the effector (muscle or gland).

So for the exam-style question β€œin a reflex action, impulses from a receptor cell travel along what kind of neurone first?” , the correct one-word answer is:

Sensory neurone.

TL;DR: The first neurone in a reflex arc from the receptor is the sensory neurone.

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