Although reflexes do not require the activation of higher br

Although reflexes do not require the activation of higher brain centers, they can be voluntarily inhibited. Why?

Solution

Reflexes are involuntary actions which are generated by the brain in response to stimuli/stresses. These reflexes are not under voluntary control and generate by themselves. However, some lower functions are indeed controlled voluntarily by the brain though they appear under involuntary control. For example, under decline in oxygen content or hypoxia, the rate of ventilation increases involuntarily due to activation of medulla oblongata due to increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood being sensed by the carotid sinus. Inspite of this fact, there are some persons which can voluntarily control their rate of ventilation such as deep sea divers, mountain expeditors etc. Practically, these voluntary controls against these apparently voluntary reflexes are not actually controlled, it requires long term practise and exercise which makes them capable of surviving under such inhabitable conditions by controlling the functions of their brain.

Thus, although reflexes do not require the activation of higher brain centers, they can be voluntarily inhibited by some people engaged in long term practise and exercises.