Cog Neuro Quiz 5: Touch & Movement

Question 1

It is 8 am and I form the intention (goal) to drink a cup of coffee using my

Answer 1

prefrontal cortex

Question 2

My primary motor cortex will execute the selected action to grasp and move the cup, producing the specific movements in my limbs via the

Answer 2

lateral corticospinal tract

Question 3

Touch feedback telling me that I have successfully grasped the cup would be delivered via the

Answer 3

dorsal spinothalamic tract

Question 4

The cup is very hot! This information would be delivered to my central nervous system via the

Answer 4

ventral spinothalamic tract

Question 5

The motor neurons from the _____ division of my spinal cord will innervate the muscles in my arms and hands as I drink the coffee

Answer 5

cervical

Question 6

As I’m grasping the coffee cup, touch info is entering my spinal cord through the _____ root, while motor commands are exiting through the ______ root

Answer 6

dorsal; ventral

Question 7

Touch/pressure and temperature info about the cup will be processed by the _____ cortex in the _____ lobe

Answer 7

somatosensory; parietal

Question 8

The ______ would be responsible for helping me judge the grasp force necessary to pick up the cup without breaking or dropping it

Answer 8

basal ganglia

Question 9

If I needed to increase the movement or grasp force on the cup, then the _____ pathway of the basal ganglia would need to be more active

Answer 9

Direct

Question 10

In that pathway (the one that increases movement), the caudate/putamen inhibit the _______ , which disinhibits the _______, allowing it to excite the cortex

Answer 10

GPi; thalamus

Question 11

The ______ pathway of the basal ganglia would be more active if I need to decrease my movement or grasp force on the cup

Answer 11

Indirect

Question 12

In that pathway (the one that decreases movement), the caudate/putamen inhibit the ______ which disinhibits the ______, allowing it to excite the GPi, ultimately inhibiting the thalamus and cortex

Answer 12

GPe; subthalamic nucleus

Question 13

During this entire process (me drinking coffee), which step required my conscious awareness?

Answer 13

Forming the intention to drink coffee

Question 14

You describe two point discrimination to your roommate and they are surprised to learn how much more sensitive their fingers are for touch compared to their shoulders. As part of your explanation for that fact, indicate whether each of the factors below increases or decreases touch sensitivity?
a. greater number of receptors
b. larger receptive fields
c. increased cortical area

Answer 14

a. increases sensitivity
b. decreases sensitivity
c. increases sensitivity

Question 15

You were playing darts last weekend. You missed the bullseye by a long shot on your first turn, but the next time you got a little closer, and by the 10th dart you just barely missed the center. Explain how your cerebellum contributed to increased accuracy of your throws

Answer 15

The cerebellum helps aid in timing and how to correctly throw (accuracy) It helps with synchronicity. The more you throw the dart, you are learning what works, the cerebellum helps you keep pace and timing. You’ll get sensory info in and then that’ll translate through motor movements.

Question 16

Two patients walk into a clinic. Patient 1 has damaged their prefrontal cortex and patient 2 has damaged their premotor cortex. For each patient, very briefly describe how the damage will impact their movements. You may want to use a specific motor behavior (ex: catching a baseball) to answer.

Answer 16

Patient 1 having damage to the prefrontal cortex would most likely not allow them to plan or think of a movement. For example, if they had to catch a baseball, they would just stand there because they couldn’t plan how to move.

Patient 2 having damage to the premotor cortex would prevent them from organizing movement actions. For example, they wouldn’t be able to catch the ball at all. They would be able to plan it but would not be able to execute it. They could pick up the ball after it hits the ground.