Final answer:
The reflex arc, involving the spinal cord and bypassing the brain, is responsible for the immediate response when touching a hot stove.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you accidentally touch a hot stove, the reflex arc is responsible for your immediate response. The reflex arc involves the spinal cord, which is part of the Central Nervous System (CNS), and it bypasses the brain. The sensory receptors in your skin detect extreme temperature and send an action potential through the sensory fiber to the spinal cord. From there, a motor neuron is directly activated, which sends a signal to the muscles and causes the withdrawal reflex.