neuromuscular system Flashcards
what is a motor neurone
nerve cell that transmits electrical impulses from the CNS to the muscles causing them to contract
what is a motor unit
single motor neurone and all of the muscle fibres it innervates to produce muscle contraction
what is a neuromuscular junction
synapse between the motor neurone and the muscle fibres where impulses are transmitted
what does the CNA consist of
brain
spinal cord
what does the somatic system so
voluntary impulses from the CNS to the muscles
we control the force produced and the precision
what does the PNS consist of
outside the CNS, connecting the CNS to the muscles
how is the CNS broken down
CNS
PNS
afferent and efferent division
efferent - autonomic and somatic
what is the neuromuscular system
combined system of nerves and muscles that allows the body to produce movement
what does the nervous system do
send electrical signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles
what do muscle fibres do
contract when they receive signals
what can impulses be called
action potential
what does the action potential need to be to cause a muscle to contract
it needs to be big enough to trigger the ALL OR NONE response, so the contraction either happens or it doesn’t
what is the ALL OR NONE law
the action potential must meet or pass the threshold in order for the muscle to contract
how is acetylcholine used in transmission
it is released at the end of a nerve. crosses the synapse, bringing the signal with it.
once it reaches the muscle, it causes it to contract
what is a small motor unit used for
precise movements
e.g. golf put
