Which of the following correctly lists the main components involved in the baroreceptor reflex?

• A. Baroreceptors, sensory afferent neurons, cardiovascular center in the medulla, efferent autonomic fibers, and effector organs (heart and blood vessels)
• B. Thermoreceptors, hypothalamus, parasympathetic ganglia, and sweat glands
• C. Chemoreceptors, spinal cord, motor neurons, and skeletal muscles
• D. Photoreceptors, thalamus, sympathetic chain, and adrenal cortex

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the baroreceptor reflex. The baroreceptor reflex is a mechanism that helps regulate blood pressure by detecting changes in the stretch of blood vessel walls. Baroreceptors are specialized sensory receptors located in the carotid sinus and aortic arch.
2. Step 2: Identify the sensory pathway. Baroreceptors send signals via sensory afferent neurons to the cardiovascular center in the medulla oblongata, which processes the information about blood pressure changes.
3. Step 3: Determine the integration center. The cardiovascular center in the medulla acts as the integration center, analyzing the input from baroreceptors and deciding the appropriate response to maintain homeostasis.
4. Step 4: Recognize the efferent pathway. The cardiovascular center sends signals through efferent autonomic fibers, which include both sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers, to the effector organs.
5. Step 5: Identify the effector organs. The effector organs involved in the baroreceptor reflex are the heart and blood vessels. These organs adjust heart rate, contractility, and vascular tone to stabilize blood pressure.