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A-Level Physical Education (EDUQAS) > Y1 - Neuromuscular System & Muscle Fibres > Flashcards

Y1 - Neuromuscular System & Muscle Fibres Flashcards

(60 cards)

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1
Q

What is the primary function of the neuromuscular system?

A

To control muscle contractions and movements by transmitting signals between the brain (and spinal cord) and the muscles.

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2
Q

A motor neurone is…

A

a nerve cell which helps transmit the brain’s instructions as **electrical impulses ** to the muscles

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3
Q

A Motor Unit is….

A

a motor neuron and all the
muscle fibres it innervates.

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4
Q

True or False: Muscle fibres can be classified into two main types: Type I and Type II.

A

True

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5
Q

Fill in the blank: The neuromuscular junction is the site where __________ and muscle fibres communicate.

A

neurons

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6
Q

What are Type I muscle fibres primarily known for?

A

Endurance and aerobic activities.

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7
Q

Multiple Choice: Which type of muscle fibre is more suited for short bursts of power? A) Type I B) Type II

A

B) Type II (specifically Type IIB)

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8
Q

What is the role of myelin sheaths in the neuromuscular system?

A

To insulate axons and speed up nerve impulse transmission.

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9
Q

True or False: Type II muscle fibres are more fatigue-resistant than Type I fibres.

A

False

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10
Q

What neurotransmitter is released at the neuromuscular junction?

A

Acetylcholine

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11
Q

Fill in the blank: __________ muscle fibres are characterised by a high concentration of mitochondria.

A

Type I

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12
Q

What is the main energy source for Type II muscle fibres?

A

Anaerobic metabolism

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13
Q

Multiple Choice: Which type of muscle fibre has a faster contraction speed? A) Type I B) Type II

A

B) Type II

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14
Q

What is the function of motor units in the neuromuscular system?

A

To control the contraction of muscle fibres.

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15
Q

True or False: The size of a motor unit is the same for all muscles.

A

False

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16
Q

Fill in the blank: The __________ is the basic functional unit of the neuromuscular system.

A

motor unit

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17
Q

What type of muscle fibre would a sprinter predominantly utilise?

A

Type IIb

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18
Q

Multiple Choice: Which muscle fibre type has a higher capillary density? A) Type I B) Type II

A

A) Type I

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19
Q

What is the primary characteristic of Type IIa muscle fibres?

A

They have both aerobic and anaerobic capabilities.

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20
Q

True or False: Muscle fibres can change type with training.

A

True

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21
Q

Fill in the blank: Muscle fibres are grouped into __________ based on their function and characteristics.

A

types

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22
Q

What is the primary role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in muscle fibres?

A

To store and release calcium ions.

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23
Q

Multiple Choice: What type of contraction occurs when the muscle lengthens? A) Isometric B) Eccentric

A

B) Eccentric

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24
Q

What is the effect of resistance training on muscle fibres?

A

It can increase the size and strength of muscle fibres** (known as muscle hypertrophy)**

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25
True or False: Smooth muscle fibres are part of the voluntary muscle system.
False
26
Fill in the blank: __________ muscle fibres are responsible for involuntary movements.
Smooth
27
What is the main difference between skeletal and cardiac muscle fibres?
Cardiac muscle fibres are **involuntary** and have a unique structure.
28
Multiple Choice: Which muscle fibre type is best for endurance sports? A) Type I B) Type IIb
A) Type I
29
What adaptation occurs in muscle fibre as a result of aerobic training?
Increased mitochondrial density.
30
True or False: Muscle hypertrophy refers to an increase in the number of muscle fibres.
False
31
Fill in the blank: __________ is the process of muscle fibres increasing in size.
Hypertrophy
32
What is the primary function of the neuromuscular system during exercise?
To coordinate muscle contractions for movement.
33
Multiple Choice: Which type of muscle fibre has the highest force production? A) Type I B) Type IIb
B) Type IIb
34
What is the role of ATP in muscle contraction?
To provide energy for the contraction process.
35
True or False: All muscle fibres are identical in structure and function.
False
36
Fill in the blank: The __________ nervous system controls voluntary muscle movements.
somatic
37
What is the significance of the sliding filament theory?
It explains how muscles contract at the molecular level.
38
Multiple Choice: Which type of muscle fibre is most abundant in the body? A) Type I B) Type IIa
A) Type I
39
What happens to muscle fibres during prolonged **inactivity**?
They can **atrophy **or decrease in size.
40
True or False: Muscle fibres can be trained to improve performance in a specific activity.
True
41
Fill in the blank: The __________ nervous system is responsible for the involuntary control of muscles.
autonomic
42
Central nervous system (CNS) =
brain and spinal cord.
43
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) =
All the nerves **outside** the brain and spinal cord; connects the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.
44
The basic role of acetylcholine is to...
"trigger" muscle contraction, by helping nerves communicate with muscle
45
True or false: Depletion in acetylcholine levels can contribute to **anaerobic fatigue**
TRUE
46
Motor unit **size** refers to...
the **number **of muscle fibres controlled by a **single** motor neuron.
47
TRUE OR FALSE: a large motor unit has **fewer/low** muscle fibres per motor neuron?
FALSE - A large motor unit controls a larger number of muscle fibres (e.g., 500–1000 fibres or more).
48
TRUE OR FALSE: a large motor unit can **recruit** ***more*** muscle fibres than a small motor unit?
TRUE
49
Gross skills/movements require...
a larger motor unit recruitment
50
Fine skills/movement require...
a smaller motor unit recruitment
51
Action Potential Threshold = ?
The minimum level of stimulus required to trigger an action potential in a neuron. If the threshold is reached, the neuron fires; if not, it doesn't.
52
Identify **THREE** short-term responses of the neuromuscular system
1. Increase in nerve transmissions 2. Immediate Muscle Activation 3. ↑ Motor Unit Recruitment 4. ↑ Muscle Fibre Type Recruitment 5. ↑ Reflex Responses 6. ↑ Blood Flow Regulation: | ***(See PowerPoint slide for more info...)***
53
Identify **THREE** long-term responses of the neuromuscular system
1. Greater Motor Unit Recruitment: 2. Enhanced Muscle Activation: 3. Muscle Fibre Type Adaptations: (IIa → IIb) 4. ↑ motor unit synchronisation & improved motor neuron firing rates: 5. ↑ summation of motor units (fire a lot of impulses in one attempt/wave) 6. ↑ Muscle Hypertrophy (increase in the size and number of myofibrils within muscle fibres.)
54
The body is made up of a combination of ___ and fast twitch muscle fibres.
SLOW
55
TYPE I =
SLOW-TWITCH **(OXIDATIVE)**
56
TYPE II =
FAST TWITCH
57
TRUE OR FALSE: Type II muscle fibres can be further sub-divided?
TRUE ## Footnote Type II can be further sub-divided into: a) Type IIa (fast oxidative-glycolytic) b) Type IIb (fast glycolytic)
58
# True or false? For the exam, you MUST KNOW BOTH THE **STRUCTURAL** AND **FUNCTIONAL** CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH MUSCLE FIBRE TYPE
TRUE
59
# True or false? For the exam, you need to... EXPLAIN **HOW** *AND* **WHY** THESE CHARACTERISTICS MAKE THEM SUITABLE FOR THEIR **SPECIFIC** ACTIVITY
TRUE
60
# EXAM QUESTION
– Produce high force quickly (explosive power) – Contract at a very fast speed - Contain HIGH PC stores – Use anaerobic energy (ATP-PC system) – Are ideal for short, high-intensity bursts – Fatigue quickly (but sprints are short) – Allow rapid acceleration and max speed | *Key links made to both structural and functional characteristics*

A-Level Physical Education (EDUQAS) (6 decks)

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