Action Key terms Flashcards
Acetylcholinesterase
An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine to stop muscle contraction.
Alien hand syndrome
A disorder where a hand moves involuntarily, often due to brain damage.
Alpha motor neurons( skeletal muscle )
Neurons that directly control skeletal muscle movement.
Antagonistic muscles
Muscle pairs that work in opposition, such as biceps and triceps.
Basket cells( Inhibitory neurons in the cerebellum)
Inhibitory neurons in the cerebellum and cortex that regulate neural activity.
Brain–computer interface( communication between)
A technology that enables direct communication between the brain and external devices.
Cerebellar cortex
The outer layer of the cerebellum, crucial for movement coordination
Cerebral palsy
A movement disorder caused by early brain damage, affecting muscle control.
Climbing fibers( Inputs to the cerebellum)
Inputs to the cerebellum from the inferior olive, critical for motor learning.
Corticospinal tract
A major pathway for voluntary motor control from the brain to the spinal cord.
Curare(toxin)
A toxin that blocks acetylcholine receptors, causing paralysis
Deep tendon reflex
An involuntary muscle contraction triggered by sudden tendon stretching (e.g., knee jerk reflex).
Dementia
A decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Dorsal horn( sensory)
The part of the spinal cord that processes sensory information.
Extensors
Muscles that straighten a joint, such as the quadriceps extending the knee.
Flexors
Muscles that bend a joint, like the biceps bending the elbow.
Frontopolar cortex( decision-making)
The most anterior part of the frontal lobe, involved in planning and decision-making.
Gamma( muscle tone) motor neurons
Neurons that adjust muscle spindle sensitivity to maintain muscle tone.
Huntington’s disease (HD)
A genetic disorder causing uncontrolled movements and cognitive decline.
Lateral corticospinal tract( limbs)
The major motor pathway that controls fine movements of the limbs.
Lateral premotor cortex( Planning )
A brain area involved in planning movements based on external cues.
Levodopa
A medication that increases dopamine levels to treat Parkinson’s disease.
Lower motor neurons
Neurons that directly innervate muscles and control movement.
Mirror neurons
Neurons that fire both when performing and observing an action, linked to learning and empathy
Mossy fibers( help coordinate movement)
Inputs to the cerebellum that help coordinate movement.
Motor homunculus
A distorted map of the body in the motor cortex representing movement control.
Motor unit( muscle fibers)
A motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it controls.
Muscle fibers
The individual cells that make up muscles and contract in response to nerve signals.
Parkinson’s disease
A movement disorder caused by dopamine loss, leading to tremors and rigidity.
Presupplementary motor area (preSMA)( complex)
A brain region involved in planning complex movements.
Pyramids(cross to the opposite side)
Brainstem structures where corticospinal tract fibers cross to the opposite side.
Red nuclei( Brainstem structures involved)
Brainstem structures involved in motor coordination.
Saccades( Rapid)
Rapid eye movements that shift focus between different objects.
Somatosensory homunculus
A distorted map of the body in the sensory cortex representing touch sensitivity.
Spinal reflex
An automatic motor response to sensory input, bypassing conscious control.
Stellate cells( star found )
Neurons with star-like shapes found in the cortex and cerebellum.
Superior temporal sulcus( biological)
A brain area involved in processing biological motion and social perception.
Supplementary motor area (SMA)( planning internally)
A brain region involved in planning internally guided movements.
Tectum( midbrain structure)
A midbrain structure involved in visual and auditory reflexes.
Theory of mind
The ability to understand others’ thoughts, beliefs, and emotions.
Type I fibers( slow-twich)
Slow-twitch muscle fibers specialized for endurance.
Type II fibers
Fast-twitch muscle fibers specialized for quick, powerful movements.
Upper motor neurons
Neurons in the brain that control lower motor neurons.
Ventral horn( motor neurons exit)
The part of the spinal cord where motor neurons exit to control muscles.
Vestibular nuclei( process)
Brainstem structures that process balance and spatial orientation.
Wisconsin card-sorting task
A cognitive test measuring flexibility and problem-solving ability.
