Physiology Chapter 12 & 13 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What type of reflex is illustrated by the patellar tendon reflex?

Polysynaptic reflex

Monosynaptic stretch reflex (correct)

Autonomic reflex

Complex multi-step reflex

What initiates the patellar tendon reflex?

Tapping the tendon (correct)

Stretching of the muscle spindle

The relaxation of the quadriceps muscle

Contraction of the hamstrings

Which statement best describes the role of afferent pathways in reflex actions?

They carry action potentials to muscle fibers.

They inhibit motor neuron activity.

They transmit sensory information to the brain.

They relay signals from sensory receptors to the spinal cord. (correct)

What occurs in the muscle during the reciprocal inhibition associated with the knee jerk reflex?

The quadriceps contract while the hamstrings relax. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of neurons are primarily involved in the control of skeletal muscles?

Somatic motor neurons (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a function of reflex tests in a medical setting?

They diagnose neurological conditions. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the patellar tendon reflex acts as the sensory receptor?

Muscle spindle (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does a monosynaptic reflex differ from a polysynaptic reflex?

A monosynaptic reflex involves only a single synapse. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reflex involves the withdrawal of a foot from a painful stimulus?

Withdrawal reflex (B) Signup and view all the answers

What role do alpha motor neurons play in skeletal muscle reflexes?

They carry output signals to contractile skeletal muscle fibers. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which proprioceptors are located in skeletal muscles?

Golgi tendon organs (B), Muscle spindles (C) Signup and view all the answers

During the crossed extensor reflex, which muscle group is contracted when weight shifts away from a painful stimulus?

Extensors on the non-painful side (A), Flexors on the non-painful side (D) Signup and view all the answers

Where do input signals from proprioceptors primarily travel to in the nervous system?

Central nervous system (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of neuron carries the action potential to the integrating center in the knee jerk reflex?

Sensory neuron (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle acts as the effector in the knee jerk reflex?

Quadriceps muscle (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the interneuron in the knee jerk reflex pathway?

Inhibits the somatic motor neuron (A) Signup and view all the answers

What stimulus initiates the knee jerk reflex?

Stretching of the patellar tendon (C) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the quadriceps muscle during the knee jerk reflex?

It contracts (D) Signup and view all the answers

During the knee jerk reflex, which pathway does the action potential NOT follow?

Efferent path to the hamstring muscle (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the receptor in the knee jerk reflex?

To stretch and fire when the muscle is stretched (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the nervous system is primarily involved in the knee jerk reflex?

Central nervous system (C) Signup and view all the answers

What occurs at the integrating center during the knee jerk reflex?

The sensory neuron synapses with an interneuron that inhibits the motor neuron (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the hamstring muscle during the response to a painful stimulus?

Hamstring stays relaxed to allow leg extension (B) Signup and view all the answers

What occurs following the activation of nociceptors due to a painful stimulus?

Primary sensory neurons diverge to activate ascending pathways (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the crossed extensor reflex, what is the overall effect on the body?

Withdrawal of the affected limb and extension of the opposite limb (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of alpha motor neurons in response to a painful stimulus?

To activate the withdrawal reflex by pulling the limb away (B) Signup and view all the answers

The term 'reciprocal inhibition' refers to which of the following?

Suppression of antagonist muscle activity during movement (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'ascending pathways' refer to in the context of the nervous system?

Neural routes that carry signals to the brain (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of a painful stimulus on postural adjustment?

Shift in center of gravity to maintain stability (C) Signup and view all the answers

During the withdrawal reflex, what is the primary purpose of pulling the foot away?

To prevent further injury (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes nociceptors?

Receptors that detect painful or harmful stimuli (C) Signup and view all the answers

What role does the gray matter of the spinal cord play in reflex actions?

It contains cell bodies of sensory and motor neurons (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role do flexors play when a painful stimulus is encountered?

Flexors inhibit the contraction of extensors. (A), Flexors contract to move the body away from the stimulus. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the crossed extensor reflex respond to a painful stimulus?

It supports body weight by activating extensors on the opposite limb. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial response of the nociceptor upon receiving a painful stimulus?

It generates an action potential in the primary sensory neuron. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the extensors of the affected limb during the crossed extensor reflex?

Extensors are inhibited to allow for flexor contraction. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the pathway of the crossed extensor reflex?

Stimulus detection by the nociceptor. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the spinal cord's gray matter contribute to the reflex action?

It contains the motor neurons that respond to stimuli. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when a weight shift occurs away from a painful stimulus?

The opposite leg's extensors are activated to maintain balance. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of primary sensory neurons in the reflex arc of painful stimuli?

They transmit pain signals to the spinal cord for processing. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the nervous system is primarily involved in the crossed extensor reflex?

The spinal cord. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which option best describes what occurs when a noxious stimulus activates a nociceptor?

Stimulation of reflexive withdrawal and weight transfer. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neural Reflexes

Reflex tests are essential for diagnosing brain damage, spinal injuries, and neuromuscular conditions.
Neural reflexes involve automatic responses to specific stimuli, crucial for maintaining body posture and protective mechanisms.

Autonomic Reflexes

Involve involuntary control over body functions, regulating visceral organ activity without conscious effort.
Examples include regulation of heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rhythms.

Somatic Motor Neurons

Control skeletal muscles, enabling voluntary movements.
Alpha motor neurons are the primary efferent pathway for muscle contraction.

Patellar Tendon Reflex

A monosynaptic stretch reflex known as the "knee jerk" reflex.
Triggered by tapping the patellar tendon, causing the quadriceps muscle to contract while inhibiting the hamstrings (reciprocal inhibition).
Stimulus involves stretching the muscle spindle, generating action potentials in sensory neurons, which relay signals through the spinal cord to the motor neurons.

Crossed Extensor Reflex

Provides postural stability in response to painful stimuli by shifting body weight.
Involves a withdrawal reflex, pulling a foot away from a painful stimulus, while contracting the opposite leg’s extensors for support.
Integrates signals through various neuron collaterals that activate both pain sensation pathways and postural adjustments.

Proprioceptors

Located in skeletal muscles, joint capsules, and ligaments, they inform the CNS about body position and movement.
Include:
- Muscle spindles: Monitor muscle stretch and contraction.
- Golgi tendon organs: Monitor tension within muscles.
- Joint receptors: Provide information about joint position and movement.

CNS Integration and Response

Input from proprioceptors is processed in the CNS.
Somatic motor neurons transmit the output signal, leading to muscle fiber contraction, facilitating movement and reflex actions.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the autonomic and somatic motor control as covered in Chapters 12 and 13 of Physiology. This quiz will cover neural and autonomic reflexes, as well as the control of movements in skeletal and visceral muscles. Prepare to challenge your understanding of how the body integrates movement control!