PSC 101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Alpha Motor Neuron, Golgi Tendon Organ, Gamma Motor Neuron
Document Summary
Muscles that move and are responsible for our actions. Antigravity muscles are the ones we use to stand up. Extrafusal muscle fibers are served by axons of alpha motor neurons. Intrafusal muscle fibers specialized sensory organs that are served by two axons: one motor and one sensory. Efferent axon is the gamma motor neuron that causes this muscle to contract. Motor unit: alpha motor neuron, axon, associated extrafusal muscle. Skeletial muscle is often known as striated muscle. Physical affects of twitch last longer than action potential. Stretch receptors in the golgi tendon detect the amount of stretch exerted by the muscle; Degree of stretch is determined by firing rate. Receptors on intrafusal determine muscle length not tension whereas in afferent neurons they detect the muscle length. Golgi tendon organs: stretch receptors for tendons. Ex: tap below knee and your foot will kick up; example of: monosynaptic stretch reflex.
