Motor Systems: A Comprehensive Guide for Neuropsychology Students

Question 1

What is a key role of the cerebellum in motor control?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining balance, coordination, and fine motor skills

Answer

Initiating and planning voluntary movements

Answer

Regulating emotional responses and consolidating memories

Question 2

Which brain structure is primarily responsible for coordinating precise movements, maintaining balance, and regulating posture?

Accepted Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Basal Ganglia

Answer

Hippocampus

Answer

Thalamus

Question 3

Which structure is responsible for coordinating and refining voluntary movements?

Accepted Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Basal ganglia

Answer

Upper motor neurons

Answer

Lower motor neurons

Question 4

Which structure contains the motor neurons that innervate muscles of the face, tongue, and neck?

Accepted Answer

Cranial nerve nuclei

Answer

Thalamus

Answer

Basal ganglia

Answer

Cerebellum

Question 5

Which neurotransmitter plays the primary role in motor control within the basal ganglia?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Glutamate

Question 6

Which principle is central to understanding motor control?

Accepted Answer

Integration of sensory feedback and predictive commands

Answer

Central pattern generators solely guiding movement

Answer

Reflexive responses driving all movements

Answer

Motor control being exclusively voluntary

Question 7

Damage to the lateral corticospinal tract can lead to:

Accepted Answer

Paralysis on the opposite side of the body

Answer

Paralysis on the same side of the body

Answer

Sensory loss

Question 8

Which symptom is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Bradykinesia

Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Dysarthria

Answer

Seizures

Question 9

Which advanced neuroimaging technique allows for the visualization of brain activity associated with motor function?

Accepted Answer

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Answer

X-ray

Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer

Computed tomography (CT)

Question 10

Which characteristic is commonly observed in spastic paralysis?

Accepted Answer

Increased muscle tone

Answer

Loss of coordination

Answer

Decreased muscle tone

Answer

Sensory loss

Question 11

What is the primary function of the basal ganglia?

Accepted Answer

Initiation and inhibition of voluntary movement

Answer

Processing sensory information

Answer

Regulation of muscle tone

Answer

Balance and coordination

Question 12

Which part of the cerebellum is responsible for coordinating fine motor movements?

Accepted Answer

Cerebellar cortex

Answer

Cerebellar peduncles

Answer

Flocculonodular lobe

Answer

Deep cerebellar nuclei

Question 13

What is the role of the corticospinal tract in motor control?

Accepted Answer

Transmits voluntary motor commands from the brain to the spinal cord

Answer

Processes sensory information from muscles

Answer

Controls involuntary movements

Question 14

Which of the following is a symptom of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Tremor

Answer

Loss of hearing

Answer

Seizures

Answer

Nausea

Question 15

What is the difference between tonic and phasic muscle contractions?

Accepted Answer

Tonic contractions maintain sustained muscle tension, while phasic contractions produce rapid, intermittent movements.

Answer

Tonic contractions are voluntary, while phasic contractions are involuntary.

Question 16

What is the purpose of the stretch reflex?

Accepted Answer

To maintain muscle length and prevent overstretching

Answer

To initiate voluntary movement

Answer

To control balance and posture

Question 17

Which of the following factors can influence motor performance?

Accepted Answer

All of the above (motivation, fatigue, environment)

Answer

Fatigue

Answer

Motivation

Question 18

What is the role of the primary motor cortex in motor control?

Accepted Answer

Plans and executes voluntary movements

Answer

Controls involuntary movements

Answer

Coordinates eye movements

Answer

Receives sensory information from muscles

Question 19

Which of the following structures is NOT part of the upper motor neuron system?

Accepted Answer

Spinal cord interneurons

Answer

Corticospinal tract

Answer

Basal ganglia

Answer

Motor cortex

Question 20

A patient with damage to their corticospinal tract would most likely experience:

Accepted Answer

Spastic paralysis

Answer

Cognitive impairment

Answer

Loss of sensation

Answer

Flaccid paralysis

Question 21

The basal ganglia plays a key role in:

Accepted Answer

Planning and initiating movements

Answer

Maintaining balance and coordination

Answer

Controlling heart rate and breathing

Answer

Relaying sensory information to the cortex

Question 22

A patient with Parkinson's disease might exhibit which of the following symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Tremors, rigidity, and slow movements

Answer

Seizures and loss of consciousness

Answer

Loss of sensation in the extremities

Answer

Rapid, involuntary movements

Question 23

The cerebellum's primary function is to:

Accepted Answer

Coordinate and fine-tune movements

Answer

Control voluntary muscle contractions

Answer

Process visual information

Answer

Regulate emotions

Question 24

Which statement is NOT a key principle of motor control?

Accepted Answer

Sensory feedback plays no role in movement execution

Answer

Feedback loops allow for error correction during movement

Answer

Motor programs are pre-programmed sequences of movements

Question 25

The process of converting neural signals into muscle contractions is called:

Accepted Answer

Neuromuscular transmission

Answer

Reflex arc

Answer

Synaptic plasticity

Answer

Motor learning

Question 26

A patient with cerebellar damage would likely exhibit:

Accepted Answer

Uncoordinated movements and balance problems

Answer

Weakness in limbs

Answer

Loss of sensation in the extremities

Answer

Difficulty with language comprehension

Question 27

When someone learns a new motor skill, like playing the piano, what changes occur in their body?

Accepted Answer

Brain structure and neural connections

Answer

Blood pressure and heart rate

Answer

Sensory perception

Question 28

Which of the following tracts is directly responsible for initiating voluntary muscle movement?

Accepted Answer

Corticospinal tract

Answer

Vestibulospinal tract

Answer

Tectospinal tract

Answer

Rubrospinal tract

Question 29

Which brain structure is primarily responsible for coordinating smooth, purposeful movements and maintaining balance?

Accepted Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Brainstem

Answer

Basal ganglia

Answer

Thalamus

Question 30

What is the primary function of lower motor neurons in the motor system?

Accepted Answer

Transmit signals directly from the spinal cord to muscles, causing muscle contraction.

Answer

Coordinate complex movement patterns.

Answer

Receive signals from the brain and spinal cord.

Answer

Process sensory information from the body.

Question 31

Which type of motor control involves conscious planning and execution of movements, like picking up a pen?

Accepted Answer

Voluntary movement

Answer

Reflexive movement

Answer

Automatic movement

Answer

Ballistic movement

Question 32

Which specific region of the motor cortex is primarily responsible for controlling the fine motor movements of the fingers?

Accepted Answer

Primary motor cortex (area 4)

Answer

Supplementary motor area

Answer

Parietal lobe

Answer

Premotor cortex

Question 33

What is the main goal of physiotherapy in the rehabilitation of motor disorders?

Accepted Answer

To restore lost function and improve mobility through exercises and therapy.

Answer

To provide emotional support to patients and families.

Answer

To prevent further damage to the nervous system.

Answer

To reduce pain and inflammation.

Question 34

Where do upper motor neurons originate?

Accepted Answer

Primary motor cortex

Answer

Spinal cord

Answer

Basal ganglia

Answer

Cerebellum

Question 35

Damage to lower motor neurons typically results in:

Accepted Answer

Muscle weakness or paralysis

Answer

Impaired decision-making

Answer

Difficulty with coordination and balance

Answer

Tremors and involuntary movements

Question 36

Which brain structure plays a critical role in initiating and coordinating voluntary movement, particularly by selecting and inhibiting movements?

Accepted Answer

Basal ganglia

Answer

Thalamus

Answer

Cerebrum

Question 37

The cerebellum is primarily involved in:

Accepted Answer

Coordination of movement, balance, and fine-tuning motor control.

Answer

Language processing

Answer

Memory and learning

Answer

Emotional regulation

Question 38

Which type of muscle fiber is best suited for sustained, low-force contractions, like maintaining posture?

Accepted Answer

Type I fibers (slow-twitch)

Answer

Type IIx fibers (fast-twitch)

Answer

Type IIb fibers (fast-twitch)

Answer

Type IIa fibers (fast-twitch)

Question 39

The process by which motor commands are generated and executed is known as:

Accepted Answer

Motor control

Answer

Motor learning

Answer

Motor planning

Answer

Motor development

Question 40

Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for muscle contraction?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Glutamate

Question 41

Damage to which brain region can lead to Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Substantia nigra

Answer

Hippocampus

Answer

Amygdala

Answer

Thalamus

Question 42

Which technique involves analyzing movement patterns using motion tracking systems?

Accepted Answer

Motion analysis

Answer

Functional magnetic resonance imaging

Answer

Electromyography

Answer

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Question 43

The development of motor skills is influenced by factors such as:

Accepted Answer

Genetics, environment, and practice

Answer

Genetics and environment only

Answer

Environment and practice only

Answer

Practice only

Question 44

Which part of the brain is responsible for coordinating fine motor movements and balance?

Accepted Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Basal ganglia

Answer

Medulla

Question 45

What is the function of upper motor neurons?

Accepted Answer

Carry motor commands from the brain to the spinal cord.

Answer

Control muscle contractions directly.

Answer

Carry sensory information from the spinal cord to the brain.

Question 46

Which neurotransmitter is involved in the basal ganglia pathway that inhibits movement?

Accepted Answer

GABA

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 47

What is the main function of the primary motor cortex?

Accepted Answer

Generating voluntary muscle movements.

Answer

Processing sensory information from the body.

Answer

Storing long-term memories.

Question 48

Which of the following is a common symptom of Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects motor control?

Accepted Answer

Tremor

Answer

Seizures

Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Aphasia

Question 49

What is the term for the subconscious process that adjusts muscle activity to maintain balance and posture?

Accepted Answer

Vestibulospinal tract

Answer

Tectospinal tract

Answer

Rubrospinal tract

Answer

Corticospinal tract

Question 50

Which neuroimaging technique can be used to visualize the brain's motor areas in action?

Accepted Answer

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Answer

X-ray

Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer

Computerized tomography (CT) scan

Question 51

What is the concept of motor programs?

Accepted Answer

Stored plans of movement that can be executed automatically.

Answer

Patterns of electrical impulses that travel through the nervous system.

Answer

Unconscious mental processes that control movement.

Question 52

Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences motor control?

Accepted Answer

Personality

Answer

Sensory feedback

Answer

Cognitive abilities

Answer

Motivation

Question 53

What is the term for the gradual deterioration of motor skills and coordination with age?

Accepted Answer

Age-related motor decline

Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Multiple sclerosis

Answer

Motor neuron disease