Effector (physiology)

In physiology, an effector is understood to be a cell or a group of cells with the ability to produce an effect in response to a neuronal impulse, such as a muscle cell through contraction or a gland (s) through secretion . Success organ is called the associated organ, for example the muscle to which a muscle fiber belongs.

With a simple connection, as in the (central) monosynaptic reflex , a stimulus is picked up by the receptor or sensor , converted ( transduced ) into an electrical potential (generator potential), transformed ( transformed ) into a series of action potentials (AP ) and the excitation with a Synapse in the CNS is transmitted ( transmitted ) to a motor neuron , which then generates and transmits impulses (AP) and transmits them to a muscle fiber as the effector at the motor endplate . This is thereby excited (AP), whereby an interaction occurs in the contractile elements ( myofibrils ), the contraction. This effect allows the muscle to shorten, which is understood as a response to the stimulus.

The connection between the stimulus at the sensor and the reaction in the effector is also known as the reflex arc .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Jürgen Zervos-Kopp: Ergotherapy examination knowledge - anatomy, biology and physiology , 2nd edition 2009, p. 313 ( preview at google books ).