Chapter 17 - information processing in motor learning

Question 1

CNS = ________

Answer 1

control center

Question 2

_____ = the part of the nervous system that connects with the rest of the body

Answer 2

PNS

Question 3

another name for a nerve cell is?

Answer 3

neuron

Question 4

_____ is the fundamental functional and structural unit of the nervous system

Answer 4

neuron

Question 5

what does the neuron allow for?

Answer 5

allows information to travel throughout the body to various destinations

Question 6

what part of the neuron receives the message?

Answer 6

dendrites

Question 7

the ______ (of the neuron) transmits message to terminal ending

Answer 7

axon

Question 8

the _____ (of the neuron) sends the message to adjacent neuron

Answer 8

terminal ending on muscle

Question 9

what is the myelin sheath?

Answer 9

fatty covering or insulator of the neuron

Question 10

what does skipping impulses allow for?

Answer 10

faster conduction

Question 11

what are the 3 types of neurons?

Answer 11

1) afferent neurons
2) interneurons
3) efferent neurons

Question 12

afferent neurons

Answer 12

sensory & carry signals to the brain

Question 13

interneurons

Answer 13

• originate and terminate in CNS

- connect afferents and efferents in CNS

Question 14

efferent neurons

Answer 14

motor & carry signals from the brain

Question 15

what do neural impulses do?

Answer 15

transport the information necessary for all activities we carry out

Question 16

what is the language of the nervous system?

Answer 16

neural impulses

Question 17

the synapse and synaptic transmission differ in terms of what 2 things?

Answer 17

1) neurotramitter used (e.g., acetylcholine or Ach)

2) general function (e.g., inhibitory or excitatory)

Question 18

what is the “all or none” law

Answer 18

synaptic transmission causes action potential when its strength is above a minimum threshold level. when the strength is below threshold level there i no action potential

Question 19

true or false: action potential is always the same intensity regardless of the strength of synaptic transmission above the threshold level

Answer 19

true

Question 20

true or false: the action potentials intensity changes along the nerve fiber

Answer 20

FALSE: the action potentials intensity remains constant along the nerve fibre

Question 21

what are the 3 information-processing stages?

Answer 21

1) stimulus-identification stage
2) response-selection stage
3) response-programming stage

Question 22

stimulus-identification stage

Answer 22

• sensing environmental information
• exteroceptors
• proprioceptors
• representation of stimulus and its nature

Question 23

response-selection stage

Answer 23

-translation from perception to response in the form of a motor program

Question 24

response-programming stage

Answer 24

• organizing the selected movement
• retrieve motor program
• command correct muscles
• choose appropriate force
• choose appropriate timing, etc.

Question 25

what happens as we execute movements?

Answer 25

the receptors in our bodies continually update the CNS about the nature of our actions

Question 26

what does the efficiency of motor control by the information-processing system depend on?

Answer 26

feedback

Question 27

closed-loop control

Answer 27

follows the idea that movements may be planned and adjusted by feedback even during a movement

Question 28

closed-loop control process is _____ and will continue to maintain the desired movement of the performed

Answer 28

self-regulating

Question 29

the are 3 key elements of the closed-loop control

Answer 29

1) feedback 2) error detection 3) error correction

Question 30

analogy of closed-loop control

Answer 30

thermostat

Question 31

what are 4 advantages of the closed-loop system?

Answer 31

1) new skills 2) activities requiring precision and accuracy 3) allows adjustment according to the situation 4) adds versatility to movements

Question 32

what are 2 disadvantages of the closed-loop system?

Answer 32

1) rapid, discrete actions do not properly fall under closed-loop control 2) demands attention and time - feedback must pass through the processing stage

Question 33

open-loop control

Answer 33

describes control of automatic actions

Question 34

when are movements structured in open-loop system?

Answer 34

movements may be structured in advance, enabling them to run off automatically when initiated

Question 35

what are the 2 main components of the open-loop system?

Answer 35

1) the executive | 2) the effector

Question 36

executive

Answer 36

- chooses motor program | - relays instruction

Question 37

effector

Answer 37

-carries out specific instructions automatically

Question 38

what are 3 advantages of the open-loop system?

Answer 38

1) fast and forceful movements can be produced without extensive conscious control 2) attention can be diverted to other responses 3) does not demand as much time because there is no feedback

Question 39

what are 2 disadvantages of the open-loop system?

Answer 39

1) not as effective in unstable and less predictable situations - movements may not be determined effectively in advance 2) not effective in precise and complex actions

Question 40

what are the 6 factors affecting information processing?

Answer 40

1) arousal and psychological readiness 2) capacity to concentrate 3) ability to anticipate 4) reaction time 5) sensory receptors relay 6) sensory input quality