Reflexes and Muscle Physiology

A set of flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on reflexes and muscle physiology.

Why do reflexes bypass the brain?

To allow for a faster protective response.

Dorsal root function

Sensory input.

Ventral root function

Motor output.

What is the cauda equina?

A bundle of spinal nerves.

Brain stem functions

Includes midbrain for visual and auditory reflexes.

Pons function

Regulates breathing rhythm and communication.

Medulla oblongata function

Controls vital reflexes such as heart rate and respiration.

Function of creatine phosphate

Rapid regeneration of ATP.

Anaerobic respiration byproduct

Lactic acid.

Advantage of aerobic respiration

High ATP yield.

Why is skeletal muscle voluntary?

It is controlled by the somatic nervous system.

What is a sarcomere?

The functional unit of a muscle fiber.

Z lines in muscle fibers

Define the boundaries of a sarcomere.

Role of calcium in muscle contraction

Exposes myosin binding sites on actin.

What is required for muscle relaxation?

ATP is required to break actin-myosin cross bridges.