Action Key terms

Question 1

Acetylcholinesterase

Answer 1

An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine to stop muscle contraction.

Question 2

Alien hand syndrome

Answer 2

A disorder where a hand moves involuntarily, often due to brain damage.

Question 3

Alpha motor neurons( skeletal muscle )

Answer 3

Neurons that directly control skeletal muscle movement.

Question 4

Antagonistic muscles

Answer 4

Muscle pairs that work in opposition, such as biceps and triceps.

Question 5

Basket cells( Inhibitory neurons in the cerebellum)

Answer 5

Inhibitory neurons in the cerebellum and cortex that regulate neural activity.

Question 6

Brain–computer interface( communication between)

Answer 6

A technology that enables direct communication between the brain and external devices.

Question 7

Cerebellar cortex

Answer 7

The outer layer of the cerebellum, crucial for movement coordination

Question 8

Cerebral palsy

Answer 8

A movement disorder caused by early brain damage, affecting muscle control.

Question 9

Climbing fibers( Inputs to the cerebellum)

Answer 9

Inputs to the cerebellum from the inferior olive, critical for motor learning.

Question 10

Corticospinal tract

Answer 10

A major pathway for voluntary motor control from the brain to the spinal cord.

Question 11

Curare(toxin)

Answer 11

A toxin that blocks acetylcholine receptors, causing paralysis

Question 12

Deep tendon reflex

Answer 12

An involuntary muscle contraction triggered by sudden tendon stretching (e.g., knee jerk reflex).

Question 13

Dementia

Answer 13

A decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Question 14

Dorsal horn( sensory)

Answer 14

The part of the spinal cord that processes sensory information.

Question 15

Extensors

Answer 15

Muscles that straighten a joint, such as the quadriceps extending the knee.

Question 16

Flexors

Answer 16

Muscles that bend a joint, like the biceps bending the elbow.

Question 17

Frontopolar cortex( decision-making)

Answer 17

The most anterior part of the frontal lobe, involved in planning and decision-making.

Question 18

Gamma( muscle tone) motor neurons

Answer 18

Neurons that adjust muscle spindle sensitivity to maintain muscle tone.

Question 19

Huntington’s disease (HD)

Answer 19

A genetic disorder causing uncontrolled movements and cognitive decline.

Question 20

Lateral corticospinal tract( limbs)

Answer 20

The major motor pathway that controls fine movements of the limbs.

Question 21

Lateral premotor cortex( Planning )

Answer 21

A brain area involved in planning movements based on external cues.

Question 22

Levodopa

Answer 22

A medication that increases dopamine levels to treat Parkinson’s disease.

Question 23

Lower motor neurons

Answer 23

Neurons that directly innervate muscles and control movement.

Question 24

Mirror neurons

Answer 24

Neurons that fire both when performing and observing an action, linked to learning and empathy

Question 25

Mossy fibers( help coordinate movement)

Answer 25

Inputs to the cerebellum that help coordinate movement.

Question 26

Motor homunculus

Answer 26

A distorted map of the body in the motor cortex representing movement control.

Question 27

Motor unit( muscle fibers)

Answer 27

A motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it controls.

Question 28

Muscle fibers

Answer 28

The individual cells that make up muscles and contract in response to nerve signals.

Question 29

Parkinson’s disease

Answer 29

A movement disorder caused by dopamine loss, leading to tremors and rigidity.

Question 30

Presupplementary motor area (preSMA)( complex)

Answer 30

A brain region involved in planning complex movements.

Question 31

Pyramids(cross to the opposite side)

Answer 31

Brainstem structures where corticospinal tract fibers cross to the opposite side.

Question 32

Red nuclei( Brainstem structures involved)

Answer 32

Brainstem structures involved in motor coordination.

Question 33

Saccades( Rapid)

Answer 33

Rapid eye movements that shift focus between different objects.

Question 34

Somatosensory homunculus

Answer 34

A distorted map of the body in the sensory cortex representing touch sensitivity.

Question 35

Spinal reflex

Answer 35

An automatic motor response to sensory input, bypassing conscious control.

Question 36

Stellate cells( star found )

Answer 36

Neurons with star-like shapes found in the cortex and cerebellum.

Question 37

Superior temporal sulcus( biological)

Answer 37

A brain area involved in processing biological motion and social perception.

Question 38

Supplementary motor area (SMA)( planning internally)

Answer 38

A brain region involved in planning internally guided movements.

Question 39

Tectum( midbrain structure)

Answer 39

A midbrain structure involved in visual and auditory reflexes.

Question 40

Theory of mind

Answer 40

The ability to understand others' thoughts, beliefs, and emotions.

Question 41

Type I fibers( slow-twich)

Answer 41

Slow-twitch muscle fibers specialized for endurance.

Question 42

Type II fibers

Answer 42

Fast-twitch muscle fibers specialized for quick, powerful movements.

Question 43

Upper motor neurons

Answer 43

Neurons in the brain that control lower motor neurons.

Question 44

Ventral horn( motor neurons exit)

Answer 44

The part of the spinal cord where motor neurons exit to control muscles.

Question 45

Vestibular nuclei( process)

Answer 45

Brainstem structures that process balance and spatial orientation.

Question 46

Wisconsin card-sorting task

Answer 46

A cognitive test measuring flexibility and problem-solving ability.