Question 1: Sensory and Motor Neurons
How do you reach out and pick up an apple? Ensure you include a review of relevant neural activity in both ascending and descending pathways. Your answer should include a level of detail down to the firing of alpha motor neurons and 1a sensory neurons. Do not include cortical activity other than what occurs in the primary motor and primary sensory cortices (i.e., do not discuss posture, planning, or control).
Question 2: Reflexes
Someone shoves you from behind. What roles does your reflex system play in how you maintain balance (or fail to do so)? Ensure you discuss all of the reflex systems we have covered in class. Your answer should include a level of detail down to the firing of alpha motor neurons and 1a sensory neurons. Do not include cortical activity other than what occurs in the primary motor and primary sensory cortices (i.e., do not discuss posture, planning, or control).
Question 3: You see an aging individual and notice that they seem to "sway" more than you do. What is the role of the postural system in this person's ability to keep balance? Do not include cortical activity other than what occurs in the primary motor and primary sensory cortices (i.e., do not discuss reflexes, planning, or control).
Question 4: How do you plan to reach out and grab the apple from Question 1. Discuss the role of the SMA, PMC, Basal Ganglia, and the primary motor and sensory cortices.
Question 5: Darn! Your motor system realizes that the motor command in Question 4 is not going to work! How does it do that and what does it do about it? Ensure you mention the role of the posterior parietal cortex in this process.
Question 6: Ha ha! How do forward and inverse models contribute to your ability to successfully reach out and grab that annoying apple? Ensure you discuss the role of the cerebellum in this process.
How do you reach out and pick up an apple? Ensure you include a review of relevant neural activity in both ascending and descending pathways. Your answer should include a level of detail down to the firing of alpha motor neurons and 1a sensory neurons. Do not include cortical activity other than what occurs in the primary motor and primary sensory cortices (i.e., do not discuss posture, planning, or control).
Question 2: Reflexes
Someone shoves you from behind. What roles does your reflex system play in how you maintain balance (or fail to do so)? Ensure you discuss all of the reflex systems we have covered in class. Your answer should include a level of detail down to the firing of alpha motor neurons and 1a sensory neurons. Do not include cortical activity other than what occurs in the primary motor and primary sensory cortices (i.e., do not discuss posture, planning, or control).
Question 3: You see an aging individual and notice that they seem to "sway" more than you do. What is the role of the postural system in this person's ability to keep balance? Do not include cortical activity other than what occurs in the primary motor and primary sensory cortices (i.e., do not discuss reflexes, planning, or control).
Question 4: How do you plan to reach out and grab the apple from Question 1. Discuss the role of the SMA, PMC, Basal Ganglia, and the primary motor and sensory cortices.
Question 5: Darn! Your motor system realizes that the motor command in Question 4 is not going to work! How does it do that and what does it do about it? Ensure you mention the role of the posterior parietal cortex in this process.
Question 6: Ha ha! How do forward and inverse models contribute to your ability to successfully reach out and grab that annoying apple? Ensure you discuss the role of the cerebellum in this process.