Animal Movement Flashcards
What are the primary purposes of movement in animals?
Movement allows animals to provide for basic needs, interact with others, and communicate.
What are the main components of the musculoskeletal system?
Joints, anchorages, levers, and actuators, working together to enable movement.
How do muscles move the skeleton?
Muscles move the skeleton by contracting, often working in antagonistic pairs like the biceps and triceps.
What is the neuromuscular junction (NMJ)?
A specialized synapse where electrical signals from the CNS transfer to muscles to initiate movement.
What are the key levels of the motor hierarchy?
Motor Cortex (initiates movements)
Basal Ganglia (modulates voluntary movement)
Cerebellum (refines coordination)
Brainstem (controls innate behaviors)
Spinal Cord (manages rhythmic patterns)
What is the role of the basal ganglia?
The basal ganglia modulate voluntary movements and are implicated in movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
What does the cerebellum do in movement control?
The cerebellum refines movements, ensures smooth coordination, and aids in learning new motor sequences.
What are central pattern generators (CPGs), and where are they located?
CPGs are networks in the spinal cord that control rhythmic movements like walking and breathing.
What is the primary motor cortex (M1), and where is it located?
M1, located in the pre-central gyrus, initiates voluntary movements and controls muscles through the corticospinal tract.
How do reflex, rhythmic, and voluntary movements differ?
Reflex: Fixed, pre-programmed responses to stimuli.
Rhythmic: Repetitive movements managed by spinal CPGs.
Voluntary: Precise actions directed by the cortex and sensory inputs.
How do damage to the motor cortex and cerebellum affect movement?
Motor Cortex Damage: Reduces precision and disrupts control of force/direction.
Cerebellum Damage: Leads to uncoordinated, robotic movements and balance issues.
Front: What is the corticospinal tract?
Back: The main output pathway of the motor system, directing skilled voluntary movements from the motor cortex to the spinal cord.
Why are areas like the hands and face overrepresented in the motor cortex?
These areas require precise, fine motor control, necessitating larger cortical representation.
