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Free Practice Quiz Question List

5 Motor Systems Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 5 Motor Systems, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions
01
Choose one
1 point

Which description best captures how the nervous system controls movement?

  1. A

    A single cortical command center controls movement from start to finish.

  2. B

    Multiple interacting circuits select, shape, and carry out movement.

  3. C

    The cerebellum directly activates most limb muscles.

  4. D

    Sensory feedback is used only after a movement is complete.

02
True or false
1 point

A motor unit consists of a lower motor neuron and all the muscle fibers that it activates.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

03
Written response
1 point

What is the term for one lower motor neuron together with all the muscle fibers it activates?

04
Fill in the blank
1 point

The neurons that directly drive skeletal-muscle contraction are called the .

05
Choose one
1 point

A person repeatedly makes a reach that is poorly timed and inaccurate. Which role of the cerebellum is most relevant to improving that movement?

  1. A

    The cerebellum compares intended and actual movement and helps adjust coordination.

  2. B

    The cerebellum selects actions by suppressing competing actions.

  3. C

    The cerebellum directly drives most limb muscles.

  4. D

    The cerebellum carries cortical signals to spinal circuits.

06
Choose all
1 point

Select all statements that correctly describe sensory feedback during movement.

  1. A

    Proprioceptors provide information about muscle stretch, tension, and joint position.

  2. B

    Proprioceptors report only the location of objects in the visual field.

  3. C

    Sensory feedback can help correct a movement while it is underway.

  4. D

    Sensory feedback is unnecessary once a descending motor command has begun.

07
True or false
1 point

The basal ganglia directly activate most limb muscles to produce movement.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

08
Written response
1 point

Which brainstem pathway helps orient the head and neck toward a salient sight or sound?

09
Fill in the blank
1 point

Brainstem pathways that use vestibular information to help stabilize posture are called pathways.

10
Choose one
1 point

A person needs voluntary cortical control of muscles of the jaw and tongue. Which descending pathway carries cortical motor signals to the relevant brainstem motor nuclei?

  1. A

    The corticospinal tract, which primarily carries signals to spinal circuits for distal limb movement.

  2. B

    The vestibulospinal pathway, which uses vestibular information to help stabilize posture.

  3. C

    The corticobulbar pathway, which carries cortical signals to brainstem cranial-nerve motor nuclei.

  4. D

    The tectospinal pathway, which helps orient the head and neck toward salient stimuli.

11
Choose all
1 point

Select all the movement problems that are correctly matched to the disrupted circuit.

  1. A

    Corticospinal pathway damage can impair voluntary strength and skilled movement.

  2. B

    Cerebellar damage can result in poorly timed or inaccurate movement.

  3. C

    Basal ganglia dysfunction typically improves action selection by eliminating unwanted movements.

  4. D

    Basal ganglia dysfunction can interfere with movement initiation or scaling and can produce unwanted movements.

12
Open ended
1 point

A person reaches for a cup but begins to move the hand along an inaccurate path. Explain how sensory feedback can help correct the reach, and distinguish the contributions of the cerebellum and basal ganglia.

13
Choose one
1 point

A task requires a stronger muscle contraction. Which change in lower motor neuron activity can help increase muscle force?

  1. A

    Recruit fewer motor units and reduce their firing rates.

  2. B

    Recruit additional motor units and increase their firing rates.

  3. C

    Increase visual feedback while keeping motor-unit activity unchanged.

  4. D

    Activate the cerebellum directly to contract the muscle.

14
True or false
1 point

Spinal circuits can help organize basic movement patterns, but normal voluntary action depends on their interaction with descending control and sensory input.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

15
Choose one
1 point

While a person reaches for an object without looking at their moving arm, which sensory receptors provide information about muscle stretch and joint position?

  1. A

    Photoreceptors

  2. B

    Proprioceptors

  3. C

    Cranial-nerve motor nuclei

  4. D

    Lower motor neurons

16
Choose one
1 point

A person sways after a change in head position. Which descending pathway helps use vestibular information to stabilize posture?

  1. A

    Tectospinal pathways

  2. B

    Corticobulbar pathways

  3. C

    Vestibulospinal pathways

  4. D

    Lateral corticospinal pathways

17
Choose one
1 point

A person has difficulty voluntarily moving facial and tongue muscles. Which pathway normally carries cortical motor signals toward the relevant brainstem motor nuclei?

  1. A

    Corticobulbar pathway

  2. B

    Corticospinal tract

  3. C

    Vestibulospinal pathway

  4. D

    Reticulospinal pathway

18
Choose one
1 point

A person needs to increase the force of a voluntary movement. Which change can help produce greater muscle force?

  1. A

    Reducing sensory input to the muscle

  2. B

    Activating only the smallest motor unit

  3. C

    Decreasing the firing rates of active motor units

  4. D

    Recruiting additional motor units and increasing their firing rates

19
Written response
1 point

What type of neuron is called the final common pathway because its activity directly drives skeletal-muscle contraction?

20
Written response
1 point

A lesion damages corticospinal fibers above their usual crossing. On which side of the body would skilled limb movements most likely be weakened? Enter the side relative to the lesion.