Postural Control and Muscle Function Quiz

The point where the force of gravity acts on the body, usually located slightly above the sacrum.

The area enclosed by the points of contact between the body and the supporting surface.

The point on the supporting surface where the ground reaction force acts.

The body's natural tendency to maintain an upright posture, even when disturbed.

Muscular contractions that help maintain posture and balance, often triggered before a voluntary movement.

Changes in muscle activity that help compensate for shifts in the body's center of mass.

The natural tendency of a rotating force (torque) to create movement, often countered by muscle activity.

The ability of the body to maintain balance despite external forces or changes in stability.

Automatic postural reactions (APRs) are highly stereotyped patterns of muscle activation (electromyographic activity) that occur in response to sudden shifts in body stability.

Fixed support reactions are a type of APR where the base of support remains unchanged during the response to instability.

Change in support reactions are a type of APR where the base of support shifts during the response to instability.

The direction and amplitude of the muscle activation in APRs can vary depending on the nature of the perturbation and the individual's body position.

Proprioception, visual information (ocular), and vestibular information (inner ear) are all needed for the body to accurately understand its position and movements.

The proprioceptive system plays an important role in providing information about the position and movement of the body. It 'tells' the body where it is in space.

Visual information (ocular) provides the body with information about the environment and helps to guide the body's movements.

Vestibular information comes from the inner ear and provides information about the body's movement and position relative to gravity.

The ability to store information for an extended period.

The basal ganglia plays a crucial role in initiating and terminating movements. It sends signals to the cortex to activate specific behaviors while suppressing others.

The corticospinal tract is a major pathway carrying motor commands from the brain to the spinal cord.

The primary motor cortex is organized according to the body parts it controls, with larger areas dedicated to more complex movements.

Lesions in the basal ganglia disrupt the initiation and control of movements, leading to impaired coordination and difficulty with postural adjustments.

The corticostriatal tract integrates motor commands with cognitive processes, contributing to the planning and execution of complex movements.

The corticorubral tract modulates muscle tone, influencing the balance between flexor and extensor muscles.

The pontine tract coordinates voluntary motor functions, enabling smooth and coordinated movements.

The manner or style of walking.

The average location of all the mass in your body. It's the point where your weight is balanced.

The alternating placement of the feet during walking.

A network of neurons in your brain that controls the rhythm of walking, without needing conscious thought.

The time when both feet are off the ground during walking.

The control of gait involves rhythmic coordination of limbs and maintaining balance.

Signals that travel from the brain to the limbs to initiate and adjust walking.

Signals traveling from the limbs to the brain, providing information to adjust gait.

The process of strengthening a synapse through repeated stimulation, enhancing communication between neurons. It involves increased neurotransmitter release from the presynaptic neuron and structural changes in the postsynaptic membrane, including increased AMPA receptors.

A type of glutamate receptor that is activated by glutamate and allows sodium ions to enter the postsynaptic neuron, contributing to depolarization.

A type of glutamate receptor that is activated by glutamate and depolarization, allowing calcium ions to enter the postsynaptic neuron. Calcium plays a crucial role in LTP.

The arrival of multiple action potentials at different synapses on a neuron, leading to a simultaneous influx of ions and a larger postsynaptic potential.

A process that strengthens synapses and contributes to LTP. It involves the translocation of AMPA receptors to the postsynaptic membrane, increasing their density and effectiveness.

The strengthening of synapses due to repeated stimulation, leading to enhanced communication and potentially memory formation.

The process that makes a memory resistant to forgetting. It involves the strengthening of synapses and structural changes that stabilize the memory trace.

The emergence of new dendritic spines and changes in their shape, which are important for learning and memory. These changes can occur as a result of LTP.

The ability to combine information from different senses, such as sight and sound, to create a unified perception of the world.

The brain's tendency to favor integrating information from the same spatial location and time, making it easier to combine sensory inputs that happen at the same time and place.

The brain's ability to use prior knowledge and experiences to predict and interpret sensory information.

The process of combining information from different senses to create a single, unified percept. For example, seeing a red object and feeling its smooth texture helps us perceive it as a red, smooth apple.

The brain's natural tendency to integrate information from sources that are highly likely to be related, improving our ability to make accurate judgments.

The inability to recognize objects visually.

A specific type of agnosia where individuals cannot recognize faces.

The inability to recognize the size and shape of objects, leading to difficulty with tasks like grasping or manipulating objects.