Final answer:
The Golgi tendon organs are sensors within muscle tendons that sense muscle contraction force. Muscle spindles detect stretching, while Golgi tendon organs monitor tension, both aiding in proprioception for body movement coordination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Golgi tendon organs function as tension receptors and are responsible for detecting the force of muscle contractions. They are different from muscle spindles, which act as stretch receptors detecting the pull and lengthening of muscles. The signals from these proprioceptive receptors, including Golgi tendon organs and muscle spindles, contribute to our sense of body position and movement, aiding the cerebellum in the coordination of muscle activity. These proprioceptive signals are crucial as they run from the spinal cord to the cerebellum without reaching the thalamus, allowing for rapid and unconscious regulation of body movements.
In contrast, sarcomeres are the structural units of a muscle fiber responsible for contraction, and alpha motor neurons are the nerve cells that cause muscle contractions. They do not function as sensory receptors but rather as components of the somatic nervous system that facilitate movement.