Lecture 1

Question 1

The Primary Motor Cortex sends neruons containing movement along which two motor pathways

Answer 1

Corticospinal Tract and Corticobulbar Tract

Question 2

Corticospinal Tract

Answer 2

Carries signals from the primary motor cortex to the spinal cord to cause movement in the body

Question 3

Corticobulbar tract

Answer 3

Carries signals to the brainstem to cause movement of neck/face/neck

Question 4

The nonprimary motor cortex is divided into which two regions

Answer 4

Supplementary Motor Cortex and the Premotor Cortex

Question 5

Supplementary Motor Cortex

Answer 5

Involved in the execution of sequences of movement and the attainment of motor skills and the selection of movement based on incoming sensory information

Question 6

Premotor Cortex

Answer 6

Contributes about 30% of the neurons that enter the corticospinal tract but seem to be active during planning rather than actually doing the action

Question 7

How does the knee jerk reaction work?

Answer 7

The tendon below the kneecap connects to the quad muscles on our thigh.
–> The hammer slightly stretches this muscle
–> Sensory nerves in the muscle are stimulated by the stretching and send an impulse to the spinal cord.
–>Motor nerves then conduct the impulse right back to the quads triggering a muscle contraction

–> This happens as it helps with balance when we stand up as the jerk reaction helps us maintain balance

Question 8

Huntingtons Disease

Answer 8

–> Mutation in a single gene which impairs the basal ganglia and causes neurodegeneration.
–> Chorea, impaired coordination and balance, muscle rigidity, difficulty speaking or swallowing

Question 9

Striatum

Answer 9

Adjusting movement of muscle