Final answer:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurological disease that causes the degeneration of motor neurons responsible for voluntary muscle movement, leading to muscle weakness, coordination difficulties, and eventual paralysis. The disease primarily affects the lateral portion of the spine that controls muscle movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurological disease that affects the motor neurons responsible for voluntary muscle movement. The disease causes the degeneration of these motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, coordination difficulties, and eventually paralysis. ALS primarily affects the lateral portion of the spine that controls muscle movement, resulting in the hardening of this area and the loss of signals being sent to the muscles.