NEU531 - Spinal control of movement

Question 1

Question 2

Describe lower motor neurons and their segmental
organisation.

Question 3

Describe alpha motor neurons and the inputs to alpha
motor neurons.

Question 4

Explain the mechanisms that mediate the graded
control of muscle contraction by alpha motor neurons.

Question 5

Explain the different types of motor units.

Question 6

Describe the spinal control of motor units.

Question 7

Explain the
process of proprioception, and the role of the muscle
spindles in this process.

Question 8

Describe the concept of myotatic reflexes.

Question 9

Explain the
myotatic reflex mechanism.

Question 10

Explain the process of generation of spinal motor
programs for walking.

Question 11

Are lower motor neurons innervating the ventral or dorsal spinal cord areas?

Answer 11

Ventral horn of spinal cord

Question 12

What are axial muscles associated with?

Answer 12

Trunk movements

Question 13

What are proximal muscles associated with?

Answer 13

• Shoulders
• Knees
• Elbows

Question 14

What are distal muscles associated with?

Answer 14

• Hands, feet, fingers, toes
  DISTAL = DIGITS

Question 15

What is a Motor neuron pool:

Answer 15

All the motor neurons that innervate a single muscle

Question 16

What is a motor unit?

Answer 16

Motor neuron
and all the muscle fibres it
innervates

Question 17

What are the 3 main ALPHA MOTOR NEURON inputs?

Answer 17

• Muscle spindle sensory input
• Spinal interneurons
• BRAIN: Upper motor neurons

Question 18

WHAT is the LARGEST input to the ALPHA MOTOR NEURONS?

Answer 18

Interneuron input
E & I neurons

Question 19

What are red muscle fibres associated with?

Answer 19

• Aerobic
• Mitochondria
• Slow contraction
• Sustain contractions
• Non-fatigueable

Question 20

What are WHITE muscle fibers associated with?

Answer 20

• Fewer mitochondria
• anaerobic
• contract and fatigue rapidly
• FAST

Question 21

What are the 2 types of white muscle fibres?

Answer 21

1. Fatigue-resistant fast fibers
2. fast fatigueable fibres

Question 22

What are SLOW motor units associated with?

Answer 22

• Slowly fatiguing red fibres

Question 23

Are red muscle fibres fast or slow?

Answer 23

slow

Question 24

What neurotransmitter is usually associated with muscle excitation?

Answer 24

Aceytlcholine

Question 25

What does NMJ stand for?

Answer 25

Neuro muscular junction

Question 26

What receptors do ACh bind to?

Answer 26

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

Question 27

What is ACh inactivated by?

Answer 27

cholinesterase

Question 28

What id the crossed innervation experiment?

Answer 28

John Eccles

Question 29

Question 30

LEARN THE MUSCLE PHYSIOLOGYYYYYY

Question 31

LEARN SLIDING-FILAMENT MODEL

Question 32

What is the myotatic reflex?

Answer 32

Stretch reflex: Muscle pulled→ tendency to
pull back
– Feedback loop

‘KNEE REFLEX;

Question 33

Answer 33

Question 34

Answer 34

Question 35

Most input to alpha motor neurons mediated by WHAT?

Answer 35

spinal interneurons

Question 36

What is the Crossed-Extensor reflex?

Answer 36

Activation of extensor muscles and inhibition of flexors on
opposite side

Question 37

Circuit for rhthmic alternating activity