Motor Pathways

Question 1

Muscles work in what sort of pairs?

Answer 1

Antagonistic pairs

Question 2

What are the names of the two enlargements on the spinal cord, and what do they do?

Answer 2

The cervical and lumbar enlargements are for the many nerves ennervating the arms and legs.

Question 3

What is the neuromuscular junction?

Answer 3

A specialised synapse that transfers electrical signals from the central nervous system to the muscles.

Question 4

What type of receptors are tightly packed in post-synaptic membranes?

Answer 4

Acetylcholine receptors.

Question 5

What type of movements are controlled from the spinal cord? What type of movements are these?

Answer 5

Spinal reflexes and locomotion. Automatic, rhythmic movements.

Question 6

What is the function of the cerebellum? What happens if it is damaged?

Answer 6

It refines movements, generates smooth, co-ordinated sequences of muscle interactions and is involved in learning new sequences of movements. Damage to the cerebellum results in poorly co-ordinated, robotic movements and loss of balance.