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Which of the following is TRUE regarding the Central Pattern Generator (CPG)?

A. It is located in the spine
B. No confirmed evidence of it in humans
C. It allows cats to walk without their brains
D. It is really cool
E. All of the above

User Xiaoli
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1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The Central Pattern Generator (CPG) is a neural network within the spinal cord responsible for generating rhythmic motor patterns in vertebrates, including humans, and is critical for locomotion in animals like cats even without direct brain involvement.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Central Pattern Generator (CPG) is a neural network that can produce rhythmic patterned outputs without sensory feedback. These generators are crucial for generating the rhythmic motor patterns seen in activities such as walking or breathing. Regarding the statement "Which of the following is TRUE regarding the Central Pattern Generator (CPG)?", option C is correct. It states that 'It allows cats to walk without their brains'Central Pattern Generators are indeed crucial for locomotion in many vertebrates, including cats. They are generally considered to reside within the spinal cord, but they are also influenced by input from the brain. Evidence of Central Pattern Generators has been found not only in cats but also in other animals, including humans, thus making option B incorrect. The functionality of CPGs might be considered 'cool' by some, but that's subjective and not a scientific characteristic; therefore, option D does not serve as a factual statement about CPGs. The CPG is an integral part of the central nervous system, which includes the spinal cord and the brain, hence why they are integral for generating motor patterns without direct brain involvement.

User Goralph
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