Which of the following best exemplifies a reflex? A man salivates while watching a chef fry sausages. A woman puts her coat on before stepping out into the cold. A child runs out to watch a fire engine drive by. A child drinks water after eating spicy food.

Reflexes are automatic responses to stimuli that occur without conscious thought. For example, when you touch a hot stove, your hand jerks back before you even realize it’s hot! It's all about protecting your body from harm without having to think about it. A common mistake people make is confusing reflexes with learned behaviors. Salivating at the sight of food, like the man watching sausages, is a conditioned response developed over time, while reflexes are innate and instantaneous—think knee-jerk reactions!