Question
Define motor unit and explain how the number of fibers in a unit affects muscular contractions. (p. 290)
Step 1
In other words, it is the functional unit of the neuromuscular system, responsible for converting electrical signals from the nervous system into mechanical force within the muscle. The number of fibers in a motor unit affects muscular contractions in several Show more…
Show all steps
Your feedback will help us improve your experience
Joanna Quigley and 59 other educators are ready to help you.
Ask a new question
Labs
Want to see this concept in action?
Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.
Key Concepts
Recommended Videos
Explain how a slight (but smooth) contraction differs from a vigorous contraction of the same muscle. Use the concepts of multiple motor unit summation.
Which description is characteristic of a motor unit? a. A single motor unit's muscle fibers vary among the slow/fast aerobic and slow/fast anaerobic forms. b. When receiving an action potential, a motor unit is controlled by a single efferent axon that causes all its fibers to contract. c. When a motor unit contracts, certain sections of the muscle as a whole remain relaxed. d. If a motor unit controls walking, it is found in large numbers in the same volume of muscle. e. If a motor unit controls finger movement, it contains a large number of muscle fibers that are stimulated over a large area.
Transcript
18,000,000+
Students on Numerade
Trusted by students at 8,000+ universities
Watch the video solution with this free unlock.
EMAIL
PASSWORD