Ch 5 Terms: The Nervous, Muscular, and Skeletal Systems

Question 1

Human movement system (HMS)

Answer 1

The collective components and structures that work together to move the body: muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems.

Question 2

Kinetic chain

Answer 2

A concept that describes the human body as a chain of interdependent links that work together to perform movement.

Question 3

Nervous system

Answer 3

A network of specialized cells called neurons that transmit and coordinate signals, providing a communication network within the human body.

Question 4

Neuron

Answer 4

Specialized cell that is the functional unit of the nervous system.

Question 5

Nucleus

Answer 5

Cellular structure or organelle that contains the majority of the cell’s genetic material in the form of chromosomes.

Question 6

Organelles

Answer 6

Tiny cellular structures that perform specific functions within a cell. Examples include nuclei, mitochondria, lysosomes, ribosomes, and the endoplasmic reticulum.

Question 7

Mitochondria

Answer 7

The parts of the cell that use nutrients to create energy for the cell; commonly known as the powerhouses of the cell.

Question 8

Effector sites

Answer 8

A part of the body, such as a muscle or organ, that receives a signal from a neuron to produce a physiological response.

Question 9

Electrolytes

Answer 9

Minerals that have an electrical charge to help transmit nerve impulses throughout the body, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

Question 10

Central nervous system (CNS)

Answer 10

A division of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

Question 11

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Answer 11

Nerves that connect the rest of the body to the central nervous system.

Question 12

Afferent pathway

Answer 12

Sensory pathway that relays information to the central nervous system.

Question 13

Efferent pathway

Answer 13

A motor pathway that relays information from the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Question 14

Interneurons

Answer 14

Neurons located within the spinal cord and brain that transmit impulses between afferent and efferent neurons.

Question 15

Mechanoreceptors

Answer 15

Specialized structures that respond to mechanical forces (touch and pressure) within tissues and then transmit signals through sensory nerves.

Question 16

Somatic nervous system

Answer 16

Nerves that serve the outer areas of the body and skeletal muscle and are largely responsible for the voluntary control of movement.

Question 17

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 17

A division of the peripheral nervous system that supplies neural input to organs that run the involuntary processes of the body (e.g., circulating blood, digesting food, producing hormones).

Question 18

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 18

Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that works to increase neural activity and put the body in a heightened state.

Question 19

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 19

Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that works to decrease neural activity and put the body in a more relaxed state.

Question 20

Sensory function

Answer 20

Ability of the nervous system to sense changes in either the internal or external environment.

Question 21

Proprioception

Answer 21

The body’s ability to naturally sense its general orientation and relative position of its parts.

Question 22

Integrative function

Answer 22

The ability of the nervous system to analyze and interpret the sensory information to allow for proper decision-making, which produces an appropriate response.

Question 23

Motor function

Answer 23

The neuromuscular (or nervous and muscular systems) response to the integrated sensory information.

Question 24

Muscle spindles

Answer 24

Sensory receptors sensitive to change in length of the muscle and the rate of that change.

Question 25

Stretch reflex

Answer 25

Neurological signal from the muscle spindle that causes a muscle to contract to prevent excessive lengthening.

Question 26

Golgi tendon organ (GTO)

Answer 26

A specialized sensory receptor located at the point where skeletal muscle fibers insert into the tendons of skeletal muscle; sensitive to changes in muscular tension and rate of tension change.

Question 27

Joint receptors

Answer 27

Receptors located in and around the joint capsule that respond to pressure, acceleration, and deceleration of the joint.

Question 28

Neuroplasticity

Answer 28

The concept that the brain will continually change or grow, reforming neural pathways throughout an individual’s entire life span.

Question 29

Neurocircuitry

Answer 29

The interconnection of neurons in the brain and spinal cord.

Question 30

Motor skills

Answer 30

Specific movements through the coordinated effort of the sensory and motor subsystems.