Psychology 2220A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Tendon Reflex, Malignancy, Growth Factor

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2220A/B
• Professor: Scott Mac Dougall- Shackleton

Document Summary

Descending motor paths: multiple paths project from primary motor cortex to motor neurons of the spinal cord, act together to control voluntary movement. Sensorimotor spinal circuits: motor units are the smallest unit of motor activity. A single motor neuron and all of the muscle fibers that it innervates. All fibers contract together when neuron fires. Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter released at the neuromuscular junction: motor pool. All of the motor neurons that innervate the fibers of a given muscle. Muscles: muscles can only contract to generate force, two types of fibres. Receptor organs of tendons and muscles: golgi tendon organs. Muscle spindle feedback circuit: intrafusal muscle within each muscle spindle innervated by its own intrafusal motor neuron. Keeps tension on the middle, stretch-sensitive portion of the muscle spindle to keep it responsive to changes in the length of the extrafusal muscle. Reflexes: stretch reflex: monosynaptic, serves to maintain limb stability.