Neuromuscular System + Muscle Fibres Flashcards
What is the primary function of the neuromuscular system?
To control and coordinate muscle movements.
True or False: The neuromuscular system includes both the nervous system and muscular system.
True
What are motor neurons responsible for?
Transmitting signals from the nervous system to the muscles.
Define ‘motor unit’.
A motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates.
What is the role of neurotransmitters in muscle contraction?
They transmit signals from nerve endings to muscle fibers.
Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in muscle contraction?
Acetylcholine
True or False: Muscle fibers can only contract fully or not at all.
False
What is the sliding filament theory?
A theory explaining how muscles contract by the sliding of actin and myosin filaments over each other.
What type of muscle is under voluntary control?
Skeletal muscle
Name the three types of muscle tissue.
Skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle.
What is the difference between fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibers?
Fast-twitch fibers are for quick, powerful movements, while slow-twitch fibers are for endurance and sustained activities.
True or False: Smooth muscle is found in the walls of internal organs.
True
What is the role of the central nervous system in the neuromuscular system?
To process information and coordinate responses for muscle movements.
What type of contraction occurs when a muscle shortens?
Concentric contraction
What is an eccentric contraction?
A contraction where the muscle lengthens while under tension.
Define ‘isometric contraction’.
A contraction where muscle length does not change while tension is produced.
What is the role of tendons in the neuromuscular system?
To connect muscles to bones.
True or False: All muscle contractions require energy in the form of ATP.
True
What is the primary source of ATP during short bursts of intense activity?
Creatine phosphate
Fill in the blank: The _______ nervous system controls involuntary actions.
autonomic
What is the difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?
The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for ‘fight or flight’, while the parasympathetic system promotes ‘rest and digest’.
What is the function of sensory receptors in the neuromuscular system?
To detect changes in the environment and send signals to the nervous system.
True or False: Proprioceptors help the body sense its position and movement.
True
What role do reflex arcs play in the neuromuscular system?
They allow for quick, automatic responses to stimuli.