Book 2, Question 19
Why Do Sudden Sounds Make Us Jump?
Have you ever jumped when a door slammed nearby? The alarm path is faster than thinking! The body can move before the thinking part finishes.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 2
More fun facts
- Your amygdala is a small, almond-shaped part of your brain that helps you feel fear.
- The amygdala is very important for keeping you safe.
- If you meet something scary again, your amygdala helps you feel fear faster.
- Babies are born with a startle reflex called the Moro reflex. They fling out their arms and cry when startled.
- The Moro reflex is also part of what helps a newborn take its first breath.
- Doctors check for the Moro reflex as part of a normal newborn checkup.
- Many newborn reflexes fade away in the first few months of life.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic
Questions kids ask
Are babies born knowing how to be startled?
Yes. Newborns have a startle reflex called the Moro reflex, where they fling out their arms.