Deck 12: Control of Body Movement

Question 1

For a group of muscles innervated by a single spinal nerve, the tendon reflexes are absent but voluntary movements are preserved, although they may not be functioning perfectly. What can you deduce about the possible neuronal circuits/structures that are damaged?

A) upper motor neurons are damaged but lower motor neurons are not
B) lower motor neurons are functioning correctly but local interneurons are damaged
C) lower motor neurons are damaged and basal nuclei are not
D) upper motor neurons are functioning correctly but lower motor neurons are damaged

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which somatic reflex has a monosynaptic pathway?

A) crossed extensor
B) stretch
C) tendon
D) withdrawal
E) All of the choices are correct.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Somatic motor neurons receive input from which sources?

A) basal nuclei, cerebellum, local circuit neurons, upper motor neurons
B) basal nuclei, lower motor neurons, thalamus, upper motor neurons
C) cerebellum, hypothalamus, local circuit neurons, upper motor neurons
D) cerebellum, local circuit neurons, hippocampus, upper motor neurons

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Destruction of lower motor neurons results in

A) inability to localize a stimulus
B) subconscious response to a stimulus
C) inability to respond to a stimulus
D) uncontrolled muscle twitches

Question 5

Adela is walking barefoot in her driveway and steps on a sharp rock. She exclaims in pain and lifts her foot away from the rock. Which somatic reflex is involved in this movement?

A) crossed extensor
B) flexor
C) stretch
D) tendon

Question 6

Bell's palsy is a sudden, usually temporary loss of muscle tone on one side of the face due to damage of the facial nerve. What neurons are likely affected in this disorder?

A) lower motor neurons in the brain stem
B) lower motor neurons in the spinal cord
C) sensory neurons in the thalamus
D) neurons in the basal nuclei

Question 7

Which type of neuron originates in the cerebral cortex and is essential for planning of voluntary movements?

A) local circuit neuron
B) lower motor neuron
C) sensory neuron
D) upper motor neuron

Question 8

Lower motor neuron activity is directly regulated by input from which parts of central circuits? Select all that apply.

A) basal nuclei
B) upper motor neurons
C) cerebellum
D) local circuit neurons

Question 9

The function of lower motor neurons is to

A) coordinate somatic reflexes
B) excite skeletal muscles
C) excite upper motor neurons
D) generate motor patterns

Question 10

In the periphery, lower motor neurons synapse onto

A) interneurons
B) sensory neurons
C) skeletal muscle
D) upper motor neurons

Question 11

Which neurons are important for issuing commands about error reduction during movements to upper motor neurons?

A) upper motor neurons
B) cerebellum
C) local circuit neurons
D) lower motor neurons

Question 12

Which neurons are essential for planning and execution of voluntary movements?

A) local circuit neurons in the spinal cord
B) lower motor neurons in the brain stem
C) sensory neurons in the thalamus
D) upper motor neurons in the cortex

Question 13

Damage of lower motor neurons in the cervical level of the spinal cord results in

A) paralysis of the facial muscles
B) low muscle tone in the arms
C) lack of patellar reflex
D) inability to blink

Question 14

Motor neurons that innervate muscles of the lower limb receive direct synaptic input from

A) upper motor neurons from the cerebral cortex
B) local motor centers from the brain stem
C) cerebellum and basal ganglia
D) neurons in the thalamus

Question 15

Which somatic reflex is important for regulating muscle length?

A) crossed extensor
B) flexor
C) stretch
D) tendon
E) All of the choices are correct.

Question 16

Which neuronal circuits issue commands about error reduction during movements?

A) basal nuclei
B) cerebellum
C) local circuit neurons
D) lower motor neurons

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT an example of a somatic reflex?

A) regulation of blood pressure
B) regulation of muscle length
C) regulation of muscle tension
D) withdrawal of a limb from a painful stimulus

Question 18

Which of the following types of neuron would NEVER be part of a somatic reflex arc?

A) local circuit neuron
B) lower motor neuron
C) sensory neuron
D) upper motor neuron

Question 19

Increasing gamma motor neuron activity would directly cause what effect on muscle fiber activity?

A) extrafusal fibers contract
B) intrafusal fibers contract
C) extrafusal fibers relax
D) intrafusal fibers relax

Question 20

Local circuit neurons receive inputs from which parts of the nervous system?

A) lower motor neurons and upper motor neurons
B) sensory neurons and lower motor neurons
C) sensory neurons and upper motor neurons
D) lower motor neurons and thalamus

Question 21

The spinal cord contains local circuit neurons that play a key role in generating rhythmic behaviors like walking and running. What are these groups of neurons called?

A) central pattern generators
B) gamma motor neurons
C) intersegmental neurons
D) intrinsic neurons

Question 22

Chose the proper sequence of events during the somatic reflex, such as knee jerk reflex 1. Muscle contraction and movement
2) Action potentials propagate toward the CNS
3) Graded generator potentials are created
4) Action potentials propagate towards periphery
5) A synaptic contact is made and signal integrated
6) Stimulus is recognized by the receptor

A) 3, 4, 6, 2, 5, 1
B) 3, 6, 4, 5, 2, 1
C) 6, 3, 2, 5, 4, 1
D) 6, 3, 5, 4, 2, 1

Question 23

Somatic reflexes allow us to avoid damaging stimuli, and prevent harm to the body. What are the characteristics of the reflexive responses that are making them effective?

A) fast and predictable
B) short lasting and voluntary
C) jerky and spastic
D) changeable each time

Question 24

When a person is standing with their elbow bent, and someone grabs their arm and yanks, the biceps will contract and the triceps relax in order to produce a reflexive pull back against the movement. How is this muscle control achieved?

A) spinal interneurons release excitatory neurotransmitters on the motor neurons of effector muscles
B) sensory neurons release excitatory neurotransmitters on the motor neurons of effector muscles
C) sensory neurons release inhibitory neurotransmitters on the motor neurons of antagonist muscles
D) All of the choices are correct.

Question 25

What is the correct order for how information would travel to allow someone to start running?

A) basal nuclei -> corticobulbar pathway -> primary motor cortex
B) premotor cortex -> primary motor cortex -> corticobulbar pathway
C) premotor cortex -> primary motor cortex -> corticospinal pathways
D) primary motor cortex -> premotor cortex -> corticobulbar pathway

Question 26

When someone has a tight muscle, for example a tight muscle on one side of the neck, passive bending toward the tight muscle (e.g., by pulling the head toward the side of the tight muscle) can sometimes can help the muscle to relax. Which part of the stretch reflex pathway is involved in this effect?

A) disinhibition
B) reciprocal innervation
C) recurrent inhibition

Question 27

During your physiology class in which you test somatic reflexes on your classmates you notice that one of the students has exceptionally strong "jerk" reflexes. Is that a good or a bad sign?

A) It is good, the stronger the spinal reflexes the faster the response.
B) It is good since strong reflexes indicate faster conduction velocity in the nerves.
C) It can be bad as spinal reflexes get stronger when upper motor neurons are damaged.
D) It's definitely bad, it indicates a damage to receptor arm of the reflex.

Question 28

The motor association area, adjacent to the primary motor cortex, is known as the ______ cortex.

Question 29

Rhythmic breathing is controlled by networks of neurons in the central nervous system called

A) pyramidal cells
B) interneurons
C) central pattern generators
D) pontine nuclei
E) visceral efferent initiators

Question 30

Which of the following types of neuron is NOT involved or necessary in execution of a somatic reflex?

A) local circuit neuron
B) lower motor neuron
C) sensory neuron
D) upper motor neuron

Question 31

Walking, running, or riding a bike requires a sequence of automatic movements that rarely penetrate to our consciousness. What neuronal mechanism is responsible for preventing us from tripping or falling on every step?

A) softness of the joints
B) somatic reflexes
C) central memory
D) visual processing

Question 32

Which of the following types of neuron function as central pattern generators?

A) local circuit neuron
B) lower motor neuron
C) sensory neuron
D) upper motor neuron

Question 33

Which description defines reflexes as belonging to a category of movement?

A) are initiated by sensory input and are integrated primarily in the spinal cord
B) movements are integrated in the cerebral cortex and require no external stimuli
C) movements are a combination of reflex and voluntary

Question 34

Rhythmic, automatic behaviors, such as running are made possible by

A) parallel thinking ability that allows humans to do two things at once
B) memorizing the sequence of muscle contractions and executing them in the same way each time
C) using somatic reflexes that account for the state of the environment around
D) "muscle memory" that works independently from the nervous system

Question 35

A barefooted individual steps on a piece of broken glass and rapidly raises her foot from the glass, while simultaneously balancing her weight to stand on the opposite leg. The reason the same stimulus causes one set of muscles to contract while their antagonists relax is because (select all that apply)

A) spinal interneurons release excitatory neurotransmitters on the motor neurons of effector muscles
B) spinal interneurons release inhibitory neurotransmitters on the motor neurons of antagonist muscles
C) sensory neurons release excitatory neurotransmitters on the motor neurons of effector muscles
D) sensory neurons release inhibitory neurotransmitters on the motor neurons of antagonist muscles

Question 36

What are the two motor areas of the cerebral cortex?

A) basal nuclei and cerebellum
B) cerebellum and premotor
C) premotor and primary motor
D) primary motor and thalamus

Question 37

When gamma motor neuron activity increases, which cells become more sensitive to stretch?

A) alpha motor neurons
B) extrafusal fibers
C) muscle spindle sensory neuron
D) intrafusal fibers

Question 38

The premotor cortex sends a motor plan to the ______ for execution.

A) spinal cord
B) corticospinal tracts
C) prefrontal cortex
D) primary motor cortex

Question 39

The main function of muscle spindles is to sense

A) tension within a tendon
B) level of referred pain
C) changes in muscle length
D) muscle fatigue

Question 40

Which somatic reflex is important for setting muscle tone?

A) crossed extensor
B) flexor
C) stretch
D) tendon

Question 41

Alexi was in a car accident. After the accident, Alexi has difficulty maintaining posture as he walks. Which motor pathway do you suspect was injured?

A) corticobulbar
B) reticulospinal
C) rubrospinal
D) tectospinal
E) vestibulospinal

Question 42

An inability to raise one's right arm could be interpreted as a sign of potential damage to the

A) lateral corticospinal tract originating in the left motor cortex
B) tectospinal tract originating in the right superior colliculus
C) ventral corticospinal tract originating in the right motor cortex
D) ventral corticospinal tract originating in the left motor cortex
E) tectospinal tract originating in the left superior colliculus

Question 43

Alyse is standing on a balance beam. Which motor pathway carries information to help her maintain her balance?

A) reticulospinal
B) rubrospinal
C) tectospinal
D) vestibulospinal

Question 44

Which part of the brain most directly controls the execution of a movement?

A) basal nuclei
B) cerebellum
C) premotor cortex
D) primary motor cortex

Question 45

Axons of the lateral corticospinal tract decussate at what level of the nervous system?

A) medulla
B) midbrain
C) pons
D) spinal cord
E) they do not decussate

Question 46

Which of the following symptoms would be associated with a lesion in the primary motor cortex of the cerebrum?

A) jittery or interrupted eye saccades
B) reflexive movements of the head in response to sudden loud noise
C) voluntary contraction and relaxation of the fingers
D) ability to understand spoken words
E) inability to produce coherent speech

Question 47

Reflexive movements of the head, for example to a visual or auditory stimulus, are mediated by the ______tract of the indirect pathways.

Question 48

Maintenance of posture in response to changes in balance is mediated by the ______tract of the indirect pathways.

Question 49

If the left, lateral corticospinal tract was destroyed below the brainstem in a car accident, what symptoms would you expect the individual to suffer?

A) loss of somatic sensation on the left side
B) loss of somatic sensation on the right side
C) paralysis of muscles on the left side
D) paralysis of muscles on the right side

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT one of the indirect motor pathways?

A) corticospinal
B) reticulospinal
C) rubrospinal
D) tectospinal
E) vestibulospinal

Question 51

More area in the primary motor cortex is devoted to controlling larger muscles.

Question 52

Most of the corticospinal axons decussate in the medulla.

Question 53

Different muscles in the body have different amounts of primary motor cortex devoted to controlling them with some having large areas and other having small areas.

Question 54

The lateral corticospinal axons decussate in the spinal cord.

Question 55

Damage to the midbrain could affect all motor components of brain stem, EXCEPT

A) red nucleus
B) reticular formation
C) superior colliculus
D) vestibular nuclei

Question 56

A person has a complete inability to voluntarily move the muscles on the left side of their face, but the right side is normal or close to normal. In what area might be the damage leading to these symptoms?

A) left facial nerve
B) right facial nerve
C) left motor cortex
D) right motor cortex
E) either right facial nerve or right motor cortex

Question 57

After many years of playing the same song night after night, a piano player is now unable to recall and produce the movements of his hands needed to play the song now. The area of his brain most likely to be failing now is the

A) cerebellum
B) premotor cortex
C) post-central gyrus
D) pre-central gyrus
E) left temporal lobe

Question 58

Saccades are a result of activity in which part of the nervous system?

A) red nucleus
B) reticular formation
C) superior colliculus
D) vestibular nuclei

Question 59

Shandra was involved in a car accident and damaged her spinal cord. A physical exam shows that she has difficulty controlling muscles in her trunk and proximal parts of her limbs. Which motor pathway do you suspect was injured?

A) corticobulbar
B) lateral corticospinal
C) reticulospinal
D) ventral corticospinal

Question 60

The two direct motor outputs from the cortex are the

A) corticobulbar and corticospinal pathways
B) corticobulbar and reticulospinal
C) rubrospinal and tectospinal
D) rubrospinal and vestibulospinal

Question 61

Which of the following is NOT a function the basal nuclei play in controlling body movements?

A) regulating muscle tone
B) sending corrective signals directly to upper motor neurons
C) starting a movement
D) stopping unwanted movements from occurring

Question 62

Voluntary movements of the distal upper limbs are mediated by the ______tract of the indirect pathways.

Question 63

Overactivity of the enzyme monoamine oxygenase might lead to which of the following symptoms?

A) lack of muscle tone
B) schizophrenia
C) tremors
D) paralysis

Question 64

Billy slips on an oily wet spot on the floor and falls to the floor. On the way down hits the back of his head and upper neck on the edge of a table. Concerned with his well-being you ask if he's OK. His answer is difficult to understand as though he is drunk. Billy rises to walk away, he staggers and stumbles a bit. Which part of his brain is likely to have been injured in the fall?

A) thalamus
B) hypothalamus
C) frontal lobe
D) brainstem
E) cerebellum

Question 65

Which of the following is NOT a function the cerebellum plays in controlling body movements?

A) contributing to learning of new motor skills
B) suppressing unwanted movement
C) sending corrective signals to upper motor neurons
D) decreasing movement error and smoothing movements

Question 66

The connections between neurons originating in the basal ganglia and neurons in the thalamus are

A) inhibitory
B) excitatory
C) electrical
D) indirect

Question 67

A person is walking down a sidewalk when another person runs in front of them, bumping them and causing them to tilt back. How will the information about this disruption to their stride enter the cerebellum, allowing the cerebellum to contribute to correcting the problem? Select all that apply.

A) from proprioceptors in joints
B) from the pontine nuclei
C) from the vestibular apparatus
D) from the thalamus
E) from the basal nuclei

Question 68

Stiffness resulting from abnormally high tension in muscles could have its root cause in the basal ganglia.

Question 69

Damage to the cerebellum typically would produce

A) inability to initiate movement
B) inability to suppress unwanted movements
C) movements that are erratic and robot-like
D) improper muscle tone

Question 70

Which of the following is the best analogy for the functions of the cerebellum?

A) a driver stomping on the gas pedal to accelerate away from a light
B) a pilot monitoring the aircraft to ensure it stays on the flight plan
C) a drummer keeping a beat in order to ensure the timing of the song is correct
D) a duck flying south for the winter

Question 71

How do neurons of the basal ganglia suppress unwanted movements?

A) they excite neurons of the motor cortex
B) they excite neurons of the thalamus
C) they inhibit neurons of the motor cortex
D) they inhibit neurons of the thalamus

Question 72

The basal nuclei can influence emotional behaviors.

Question 73

Which of the following might cause a patient to experience anxiety, hallucinations, and lack of muscle tone?

A) loss of GABA releasing neurons in the basal ganglia
B) Parkinson's disease
C) lesion of the putamen
D) L-dopa overdose

Question 74

Uncoordinated movements may result from

A) lesions of the pontine nuclei
B) lesions of the cerebellum
C) lesions of the spinocerebellar tracts
D) All of the choices are correct.

Question 75

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

A) A loss of ability to translate a thought into writing on paper is associated with the cerebral cortex.
B) Somatic reflexes rely entirely on the spinal cord as the integration center.
C) Reflexive movements of the head in response to sudden flashes of light are initiated by motor signals originating in the brainstem.
D) The flexor reflex exhibited by the leg is an intersegmental somatic spinal reflex.

Question 76

Damage to which area will have a direct impact on involuntary control of muscle tone?

A) rubrospinal tract
B) cerebellum
C) primary motor cortex
D) reticular formation

Question 77

If a researcher implanted electrodes into the basal ganglia, and continuously stimulated the neurons that project to the thalamus, what would be the effect on the behavior of the subject?

A) continuous spastic movements
B) voluntary movements would fail to initiate
C) complete paralysis
D) no effect

Question 78

The basal ganglia help regulate muscle tone by sending signals to which part of the nervous system?

A) cerebellum
B) limbic system
C) motor cortex
D) reticular formation

Question 79

What is the correct order for how information would travel to cause someone to start walking?

A) basal nuclei -> thalamus -> corticospinal tract -> sensory cortex -> motor cortex -> skeletal muscle
B) corticospinal tract -> thalamus -> sensory cortex -> basal nuclei -> motor cortex -> skeletal muscle
C) sensory cortex -> basal nuclei -> thalamus -> motor cortex -> corticospinal tract -> skeletal muscle
D) thalamus -> basal nuclei -> motor cortex -> association cortex -> corticospinal tract -> skeletal muscle

Question 80

Chorea is an abnormal condition in which rapid, uncoordinated and jerky movements occur as a consequence of damage to which specific parts of the basal nuclei? Select all that apply.

A) caudate nucleus
B) substantia nigra
C) globus pallidus
D) putamen
E) subthalamic nucleus