Voluntary and Involuntary Actions

Voluntary and Involuntary Actions

There are two main types of actions carried out by our body - voluntary action and involuntary action. 

Voluntary Actions

Voluntary actions are those actions which our brain can control consciously such as picking a book off a floor kicking a ball. We do not have to do these things. Nerve impulses reach our brain and analyzed before we decide what action to take. In the case of picking up the book, the brain sends motor impulses along with the nerve fibers that run down the spinal cord. These make synapses with motor fibers which enter the spinal nerves and send messages to the sets of muscles needed to bring about the correct action. Many sets of muscles in our arms, legs, and body are brought into play in order to stoop and pick up the book. Impulses passing between our eyes, brain, and arm direct our arm to the right place and tell our fingers when to close on the book. 

Involuntary Actions

Involuntary actions are those that our brain does not consciously control. For example such as digestion, breathing, sweating and heart beat are involuntary, so too are the adjustment of the lenses and pupils of the eyes. The nerves which control the involuntary actions are known as autonomic nervous system. The reflex actions described in the previous posts are also involuntary actions.