Final answer:
The Moro reflex is an infant's automatic response to a sensation of falling, involving sudden extension and abduction of the arms. It is one of the important newborn reflexes that help maintain close contact with the caregiver and is seen in option 1.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Moro Reflex
The Moro reflex is an automatic response exhibited by infants when they experience a sensation of falling. The reflex comprises a sequence where the infant suddenly extends and abducts the arms at the shoulders, spreads out the fingers, then pulls the arms back in and typically cries. This instinctive behavior serves as a survival mechanism, helping the infant to potentially grasp and cling to a caregiver, thus preventing a fall and maintaining necessary physical contact.
Among the options provided, option 1 accurately describes the Moro reflex, which is a reflex that causes sudden extension and abduction of the arms at the shoulders and spreading of the fingers. This reflex is present at birth and generally persists until the infant is about three or four months old. It is one of several newborn reflexes that promote the child's survival and help in maintaining close physical contact with a caregiver.