Question

The ventral horn of the spinal cord contains both alpha and gamma motor neurons. What is the function of these neurons?

1) Alpha motor neurons control muscle contraction, while gamma motor neurons regulate muscle spindle sensitivity.
2) Alpha motor neurons regulate muscle spindle sensitivity, while gamma motor neurons control muscle contraction.
3) Both alpha and gamma motor neurons control muscle contraction.
4) Both alpha and gamma motor neurons regulate muscle spindle sensitivity.

Answer 1

Alpha motor neurons are responsible for controlling muscle contraction, while gamma motor neurons adjust muscle spindle sensitivity, critical for feedback on muscle stretch.

Step-by-step explanation:

The function of alpha and gamma motor neurons located in the ventral horn of the spinal cord pertains to muscle control. The correct function of these neurons is that alpha motor neurons control muscle contraction, while gamma motor neurons regulate muscle spindle sensitivity. Alpha motor neurons extend their axons through the spinal nerves to connect to muscle fibers at neuromuscular junctions, enabling the contraction of muscles. Conversely, gamma motor neurons play a crucial role in adjusting the sensitivity of the muscle spindle's response to changes in muscle length, hence facilitating the muscle spindle's ability to send accurate feedback to the central nervous system about muscle stretch.