The Motor System: Structure, Function, and Control

Question 1

How does the cerebellum primarily contribute to the motor system?

Accepted Answer

It coordinates movement and maintains balance.

Answer

It initiates motor commands.

Answer

It stores long-term memories of motor skills.

Answer

It processes sensory information from the body.

Question 2

In which lobe of the brain is the primary motor cortex situated?

Accepted Answer

Frontal

Answer

Temporal

Answer

Parietal

Answer

Occipital

Question 3

Describe the distinction between agonist and antagonist muscles.

Accepted Answer

Agonists facilitate movement in one direction, while antagonists facilitate movement in the opposite direction.

Answer

Agonists contract simultaneously, while antagonists relax.

Answer

Antagonists contract simultaneously, while agonists relax.

Answer

Antagonists facilitate movement in one direction, while agonists facilitate movement in the opposite direction.

Question 4

Which of the following represents a key function of the spinal cord within the motor system?

Accepted Answer

Transmission of motor commands from the brain to muscles

Answer

Storage of motor memories

Answer

Processing of sensory information

Answer

Regulation of body temperature

Question 5

Which of the following conditions affects the motor system?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Depression

Answer

Schizophrenia

Question 6

What is the main function of the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Transmit sensory and motor information

Answer

Generate motor commands

Answer

Control autonomic functions

Answer

Store memories

Question 7

Which type of sensory receptor detects changes in muscle length?

Accepted Answer

Muscle spindle

Answer

Golgi tendon organ

Answer

Vestibular apparatus

Answer

Baroreceptor

Question 8

What is the primary role of the motor cortex?

Accepted Answer

Initiate muscle contractions

Answer

Interpret sensory input

Answer

Control respiration

Answer

Regulate body temperature

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the cerebellum?

Accepted Answer

Processing of sensory information

Answer

Coordination of voluntary movement

Answer

Maintenance of balance and posture

Question 10

The pathway responsible for transmitting motor signals from the brain to the spinal cord is termed the:

Accepted Answer

Corticospinal tract

Answer

Rubrospinal tract

Answer

Vestibulospinal tract

Answer

Reticulospinal tract

Question 11

The muscle spindle, a sensory receptor, plays a crucial role in detecting:

Accepted Answer

Muscle length

Answer

Muscle force

Answer

Joint angle

Answer

Skin temperature

Question 12

Parkinson's disease is characterized by the presence of:

Accepted Answer

Tremors and stiffness

Answer

Seizures and hallucinations

Answer

Breathing difficulties and chest pain

Answer

Cognitive decline and memory impairment

Question 13

Which of the following is not a known factor influencing motor learning?

Accepted Answer

Insufficient sleep

Answer

Regular practice and repetition

Answer

Motivation and focus

Answer

Age and inherited traits

Question 14

Which brain region is primarily responsible for initiating and planning voluntary movements?

Accepted Answer

Primary motor area

Answer

Primary somatosensory area

Answer

Prefrontal cortex

Answer

Visual cortex

Question 15

Through which pathway do motor commands travel from the brain to the muscles?

Accepted Answer

Descending tracts

Answer

Ascending tracts

Answer

Lateral tracts

Answer

White matter

Question 16

Which type of muscle contraction results in a shortening of the muscle fibers?

Accepted Answer

Concentric contraction

Answer

Isometric contraction

Answer

Eccentric contraction

Answer

Twitch contraction

Question 17

Which part of the brain coordinates and fine-tunes movement execution?

Accepted Answer

Coordination and fine-tuning of movement

Answer

Initiation of movement

Answer

Planning of complex motor sequences

Answer

Muscle strength

Question 18

Which technique is commonly used to record and analyze muscle activity?

Accepted Answer

Electromyography (EMG)

Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Answer

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Question 19

According to the size principle, the order of motor unit recruitment is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Smaller motor units are recruited first.

Answer

Larger motor units are recruited first.

Answer

Motor unit recruitment is random.

Answer

Motor unit recruitment depends solely on the level of force required.

Question 20

Which of the following is not a type of motor neuron?

Accepted Answer

Interneuron

Answer

Upper motor neuron

Answer

Lower motor neuron

Answer

Alpha motor neuron

Question 21

Analyze the ethical considerations surrounding the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in treating motor disorders.

Accepted Answer

DBS should be considered only after other treatment options have been explored.

Answer

DBS is an ethically unproblematic procedure with minimal risks.

Answer

Patient perspectives should not be considered when making decisions about DBS.

Answer

The potential benefits of DBS outweigh any ethical concerns.

Question 22

When studying the motor system, fMRI and EEG offer different strengths. Which option correctly contrasts their spatial and temporal resolution?

Accepted Answer

fMRI: high spatial resolution, low temporal resolution; EEG: high temporal resolution, low spatial resolution

Answer

fMRI: non-invasive, expensive; EEG: invasive, inexpensive

Answer

fMRI: measures brain activity directly, EEG: measures neural activity indirectly

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT a type of muscle fiber within the motor system?

Accepted Answer

Type III

Answer

Type I

Answer

Type IIa

Answer

Type IIx

Question 24

What is the primary role of the anterior horn cells in the spinal cord within the motor system?

Accepted Answer

To transmit motor commands to muscles

Answer

To receive sensory input from the periphery

Answer

To process sensory information from the brain

Answer

To regulate muscle tone

Question 25

Which of the following brain structures within the motor system is primarily responsible for coordinating voluntary movement?

Accepted Answer

Cerebrum

Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Basal ganglia

Answer

Spinal cord

Question 26

What is the primary function of the cerebellum within the motor system?

Accepted Answer

To control balance and coordination

Answer

To regulate emotions

Answer

To process auditory information

Answer

To initiate movement

Question 27

Which of the following neurotransmitters is primarily involved in motor neuron activation within the motor system?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Norepinephrine

Question 28

What is the key difference between a reflex and a voluntary movement within the motor system?

Accepted Answer

Reflexes are automatic, while voluntary movements require conscious effort

Answer

Voluntary movements are faster than reflexes

Answer

Reflexes involve sensory and motor neurons, while voluntary movements involve only motor neurons

Answer

Voluntary movements are initiated in the cerebrum, while reflexes are initiated in the spinal cord

Question 29

What is the primary function of the vestibular system within the motor system?

Accepted Answer

To maintain balance

Answer

To process visual information

Answer

To regulate body temperature

Answer

To control muscle tone

Question 30

What is the primary role of the basal ganglia within the motor system?

Accepted Answer

To control the speed and coordination of movement

Answer

To initiate movement

Answer

To regulate muscle tone

Answer

To process sensory information

Question 31

Which of the following is NOT a type of skeletal muscle fiber?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac muscle fiber

Answer

Type IIa muscle fiber

Answer

Type IIb muscle fiber

Answer

Type I muscle fiber

Question 32

Which part of the spinal cord contains the motor neurons innervating skeletal muscles?

Accepted Answer

Anterior horn

Answer

Lateral horn

Answer

Posterior horn

Answer

Gray matter

Question 33

Which neurotransmitter is released at the neuromuscular junction, triggering muscle contraction?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

GABA

Answer

Dopamine

Question 34

Which brain region is responsible for initiating and planning voluntary movement?

Accepted Answer

Primary motor cortex

Answer

Prefrontal cortex

Answer

Somatosensory cortex

Answer

Hippocampus

Question 35

Which of the following is a primary function of the cerebellum?

Accepted Answer

Coordination and balance

Answer

Language comprehension

Answer

Emotional regulation

Answer

Memory formation

Question 36

Which type of muscle contraction occurs when the muscle lengthens?

Accepted Answer

Eccentric contraction

Answer

Isometric contraction

Answer

Plyometric contraction

Answer

Concentric contraction

Question 37

Which of the following is a characteristic symptom of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Tremor

Answer

Confusion

Answer

Seizures

Answer

Hallucinations

Question 38

Which of the following is a type of involuntary movement disorder characterized by slow, writhing movements?

Accepted Answer

Athetosis

Answer

Ataxia

Answer

Aphasia

Answer

Apraxia

Question 39

Which of the following is a common treatment approach for stroke-induced motor impairments?

Accepted Answer

Physical therapy

Answer

Medication

Answer

Cognitive therapy

Answer

Surgery

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT a type of muscle fiber?

Accepted Answer

Type D

Answer

Type IIx

Answer

Type IIa

Answer

Type I

Question 41

In which region of the spinal cord are the cell bodies of motor neurons located?

Accepted Answer

Ventral horn

Answer

Lateral horn

Answer

Dorsal column

Answer

Central canal

Question 42

Which neurotransmitter is released at the neuromuscular junction?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Noradrenaline

Question 43

What is the main role of the spinal cord in motor control?

Accepted Answer

Relaying motor commands and sensory information

Answer

Coordinating balance and posture

Answer

Processing visual information

Answer

Generating motor commands

Question 44

Which of the following is a characteristic of a multi-unit motor unit?

Accepted Answer

Multiple muscle fibers innervated by a single neuron

Answer

Slow-twitch fibers

Answer

Fast-twitch fibers

Answer

Single muscle fiber innervated by multiple neurons

Question 45

How can voluntary and involuntary motor control be distinguished?

Accepted Answer

Voluntary control is conscious while involuntary control is unconscious

Answer

Voluntary control is fast while involuntary control is slow

Answer

Voluntary control involves complex movements while involuntary control involves simple movements