Motor Control 1

Question 1

Difference between Motor Behaviour & Motor Task

Answer 1

• Motor behaviour is the motor activity carried out through muscle contraction
• Motor task is the objective achieved through the motor behaviour

Question 2

Define,
ACTION
MOVEMENT
MOTOR EQUIVALENCE

Answer 2

Action = aim
Movement = the way of achieving that aim
Motor Equivalence = the same action can be carried out by executing different (sequences of) movements

Question 3

How do voluntary and involuntary actions differ?

Answer 3

Voluntary actions are goal orientated whereas Involuntary actions involve sensory perception and adaptability

Question 4

What is Motor Adaptability?

Answer 4

The ability to complete the same motor behaviour by adapting to different conditions

Question 5

What is an issue with Open Loop Systems?

Answer 5

You have to predict the behaviour of the control variable and the environment (ie. the heater and the ambient temperature).

Question 6

What is the proportional feedback control law?

Answer 6

The control variable is proportional to the error (ie. error is multiplied by a ‘gain’).

Question 7

What is the error transform and what do the symbols stand for

Answer 7

u=Gp * (y0-y) + u0

u = Error Transform
Gp = gain potential 
u0 = steady state/baseline value
y0 = desired temperature
y = actual temp

Question 8

List the 4 types of Receptors

Answer 8

• Mechanoreceptors
• Nociceptors
• Chemoreceptors
• Baroreceptors

Question 9

What are the components of the CNS and the PNS

Answer 9

Central Nervous System = brain + spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System = nerves (bundles of axons) & ganglia (groups of neurons). (Contains sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions).

Question 10

What is Matter is contained within the CNS?

Answer 10

Grey Matter = neural cell bodies, dendrites, unmielinated axons
White Matter = milienated axons

Question 11

Give 3 features of the Cerebrum

Answer 11

• Largest most superior structure of the brain
• Contains the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia
• 2 Hemispheres connected by the corpus callosum (fibres).

Question 12

What is the Cerebral Cortex and what does it cover?

Answer 12

• Contained within the cerebrum
• A folded sheet of grey matter
• Covering the cerebral hemispheres
• contains gyri and sulci

Question 13

What are the 4 lobes of the cerebral cortex

Answer 13

Frontal, Temporal, Parietal, Occipital

- Frontal lobe is involved in planning and generating movement

Question 14

What is gyri and sulci?

Answer 14

Areas within the cerebral cortex of grey matter

• Gyri = crest of folded tissue
• Sulci = grooves in tissue

Question 15

What is the motor cortex?

Answer 15

area in the frontal lobe, fundamental for voluntary motor control and planning actions.

Question 16

3 Divisions of the motor cortex

Answer 16

• Primary motor cortex = initiation and coordination of voluntary movements
• Pre motor cortex = organisation of movements before they’re initiated
• Supplementary motor area = preparation and control of sequential movements.

Question 17

Describe the Basal Ganglia

Answer 17

a set of subcortical neural nuclei strictly interconnected with the cortex and brainstem
- important role in control of voluntary movements

Question 18

Basal Ganglia Connectivity - describe how the global pallidus internal influences movement?

Answer 18

• Gpi inhibits the thalamus
• If the Gpi is inhibited then the the thalamus is innervated more, resulting in more movement as the motor cortex receives greater innervation
• If the Gpe is inhibited more greatly, then there is less inhibition of the subthalamic nuclei (STN), therefore GPi is excited more which inhibits the thalamus more greatly, resulting in less movement.

Question 19

What is Parkinsons disease and it’s symptoms

Answer 19

• The death of neurons in the substantia nigra (SN).
• Results in reduced movement ability, as there is increased activity of the Gpi and decreased activity of the thalamus

Symptoms

• likelihood of falling
• shuffling gait
• tremor at rest
• slowness of voluntary movements (BRADYKINESIA)
• difficulty initiating movements (AKINESIA)
• inadequate amplitude of movements (HYPOMETRIA)

Question 20

What is Huntington’s disease/ Hemiballism and its symptoms?

Answer 20

• Lesions in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) resulting in greater inhibition of the Gpi - results in excessive movements.

Symptoms - increased involuntary movements (DYSKINESIAS)

Question 21

What is the cerebellum

Answer 21

• Prominent structure situated at the back of the pons (brainstem) and concerned with motor coordination, posture and balance.
• Has a key role in learning new movements (as it receives input from the sensory system and the motor cortex).