Final answer:
The two primary actions of the Golgi tendon organ are sensory reception, which detects the force of muscle contractions, and inhibition, which prevents potential muscle damage from excessive contraction by causing muscle relaxation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Golgi tendon organ is a sensory receptor that plays a crucial role in muscle function. Its two primary actions are sensory reception and inhibition. As a tension receptor located in the tendons, the Golgi tendon organ detects the force of muscle contractions and responds when the tension becomes too high. It provides sensory feedback to the central nervous system, which can inhibit motor neuron activity, thus preventing potential muscle damage from excessive contraction. This protective mechanism helps maintain an appropriate balance of tension and avoids injuries that could occur from overexertion.
When a Golgi tendon organ is activated, it leads to the inhibition of the muscle from which the tension is originating, causing a relaxation effect on the muscle. This process is part of the body’s way of preventing muscle damage by regulating force generation within muscles.