(S1W1) Neurophysiology part 2

Question 1

Definition of motor program

Answer 1

“an abstract representation, that when initiated results in the production of a coordinated movement sequence” - Schmidt

Question 2

Explain how motor programs work

Answer 2

• a motor program is essentially how you control and coordinate a movement
• motor program –> motor neuron –> muscle
• the more activity within the motor neuron, the more force the muscle will produce
• the longer there is activity in the motor neuron, the longer we will produce a force for

Question 3

How is the nervous system set up

Answer 3

• central nervous system (CNS) - the brain and spinal cord
• peripheral nervous system - everything else
• afferent neurons are neurons going to the brain and spinal cord from sensors (sensory)
• efferent neurons are going back to the muscles (motor)
• afferent neurons take info to brain, decide what to do with it, then efferent stimulates muscles via either somatic or autonomic
• somatic = skeletal
• autonomic = involuntary e.g. muscles in wall of heart

Question 4

Describe the components of a neuron

Answer 4

• cell body (soma) - where the energy is produced - sodium potassium pump needs energy and the energy comes from the cell body where things like mitochondria are
• dendrites - where neurotransmitter from other neurons is detected - which starts this process of some kind of signal being sent along the neuron (e.g connected to spinal cord)
• axon hillock - where the cell body and dendrites join the axon - high density of sodium channels at the axon hillock which helps to start the process
• axon - long branch
• myelin - helps to transfer faster
• nodes of ranvier - between myelin
• terminal branching at the end (e.g. connected to motor unit within a muscle)