It\'s near the end of an arduous hike and I\'m tired but there\'s one more steep

Question

It's near the end of an arduous hike and I'm tired but there's one more steep ascent. As I hike up the last climb, I naturally start pressing on my thighs to "help". Identify the spinal reflex that is being initiated and explain how it recruits more motor units helping me on that last climb. A diagram is always useful. We covered three mechanisms to decrease the amount of nociceptive input. Compare and give examples of each. a. The role of prostaglandins b. The "Gating Mechanism"; using a diagram, explain how rubbing a painful area helps ease the pain. C. Descending analgesic mechanisms

Explanation / Answer

This reflex is known as patellar reflex.

Stretching the muscle spindle in quadriceps muscle (sensory receptor) ---------------> sensory neuron is excited--------------------> afferent signal goes to spinal cord ----------(interneurons not required over here)----------> brain-----------> via motor neuron efferent signal comes back to spinal cord -----------------> from here, signal goes to quadriceps femoris muscle-------------------> contraction of muscle

The sensory receptor is quadriceps muscle. The spinal reflex pathway is shown above.

b) Such exercises increase flexibility; and improve performance in physical activity. These exercises decrease your risk of injuries. Stretching increases blood flow to muscles.

c) The answer is given. Too much stretching can harm muscle fibers.

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