1.Describe an overview of motor system functioning in an example (i.e. seeing a
ID: 252667 • Letter: 1
Question
1.Describe an overview of motor system functioning in an example (i.e. seeing a cup on the table and picking it up, as described in class). Briefly (and simply) describe what happens at each component of the system, from higher order cortical regions all the way to the motor neurons (from the top down!). Also, briefly describe the roles of the cerebellum and basal ganglia in feedback control and movement initiation.
2.Identify the seven major descending motor control pathways. Which three originate in the cortex? Which four come from brainstem nuclei? Of the six we discussed in class, which are laterally descending pathways, and which descend medially? Briefly describe the general function of each (e.g. what part(s) of the body they serve, and/or what type of motor control is mediated).
Explanation / Answer
1. The functioning of the motor system involves the primary motor cortex. This is one of the major areas of brain involved. This area is present in the brain’s frontal lobe, along with the precentral gyrus. The primary motor cortex would be generating neural impulses which is responsible in controlling the movement execution.
Signals generated in this cortex will be crossing the midline of the body for activation of skeletal muscles. This muscle activation would take place on the opposite side of the hemisphere from which signals are generated. This implies, that the right hemisphere of the brain controls the left side of the body. All body parts are considered in the primary motor cortex. The amount of control that is present in any of the body part will be based on the brain matter amount involved in carrying out a task.
When a person would see a cup, the visual systems work in order to analyse the cup that a person see. When a cup is picked up, there would be reaching up to the cup with a pre shaped hand along with the close hand would exert a force on objects, the cup in this case followed by holding the cup. There is a perceptual concept that shapes the role where it identifies that the object is a cup and has to be picked up. Motor component and perceptual components both interact together, this is referred to as supramodal action.
The different hand actions are carried out by the cluster of mirror neurons. Since the action is a purposeful action, the actions are phased by the temporal phases. This occurs as a result of cluster simulation taking place in the mirror neurons. The somatosensory cortex is be organised in a somatotropic manner. Stimulation’s come from the anterior paracentral lobule that would result in increase in movements. Neurons controlling, biceps, triceps are clustered. Movements of every muscle is coordinated.
The afferent and the efferent pathways are involved in action. The corticorubral tract would allow the modulation of the rubrospinal tract. The corticotectal tract will carry out modulation of tectospinal tract.
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