Final answer:
Inhibition of an antagonistic muscle is a neural process that allows an agonist muscle to move without opposition. It involves inhibiting motor neurons of antagonistic muscles via interneurons in the spinal cord, which prevent action potentials in those motor neurons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inhibition of an antagonistic muscle to allow the agonist to perform the intended movement is a dynamic process that involves neural mechanisms. When the agonist muscle contracts to perform an action, the antagonistic muscle must be inhibited. This is achieved through neuronal circuitry within the spinal cord. A notable example is the reflex seen when touching a hot object; the biceps brachii contracts while the triceps brachii relaxes. The motor nerve instructing the biceps brachii is active, while the motor neuron controlling the triceps brachii is inhibited by an interneuron in the spinal cord, which releases a neurotransmitter to hyperpolarize the motor neuron, making it less likely to initiate an action potential and thereby allowing the triceps to relax.