Question

The reflexes through which animals and humans learn are ______
A. Conditioned reflex
B. Inherited reflex
C. Visceral reflex
D. Monosynaptic reflex

Answer 1

Some reflexes are complicated acts of learned behavior and are learned from the environment automatically. The way in which the body reacts and responds to the stimuli is modified with experience and further exposure. The response is mostly frequent and predictable.

Complete answer:
Option A (Conditioned reflex): It’s an acquired reflex that has become associated due to repetition brought by classical conditioning. It is an automatic response to an external stimulus which doesn’t need any intervention of conscious thought. It is already built in the nervous system.
So, option A is correct.
Option B (Inherited reflex): These are hereditary reflexes that pass on from one generation to another through their genes and are not taught or learned. These are genetically programmed in an organism’s body and are instinctive. But they are not learned. For example, blinking of eyes; swallowing etc.
So, option B is not correct.
Option C (Visceral reflex): The non-skeletal muscular tissues and the glandular parts of our body are responsible for such reflexes. They are automatic and autonomic reflexes that are related to the CNS via visceral afferent signaling and hence are also said to be unconscious motor reflexes produced by our glands and internal organs. For example, vomiting reflex, pupillary dilation reflex etc.
So, option C is not correct.
Option D (Monosynaptic reflex): This is a rapid single synaptic reflex that helps to maintain the length of muscles. It also contributes to joint stabilization. For example, the knee jerk reflex etc. the H-reflex is the only well studied and best-known monosynaptic reflex seen in adult humans. It’s not a learned reflex.
So, option D is not correct.

Therefore, Option A is the correct answer.

Note:
Based on the studies of a Russian physician, Ivan Pavlov, salivation was considered a learned response. Pavlov's dog subjects responded more to the sight of the research assistants' white lab coats, unlike the salivary response to the presentation of food. He then realized that salivating to the presentation of food only was an unconditioned reflex, while salivating to the expectation of food was a conditioned reflex. In a series of experiments, he used food as the unconditioned stimulus; and the sound of a metronome as the neutral stimulus. The dogs were first exposed to the sound of the ticking metronome. Then the food was presented immediately. After such several classical conditioning trials, he had noted that the dogs began to salivate right on the sound of the metronome even before the food was presented. This came to be known as conditioned reflexes.