5 Things That Activate Alpha Motor Neurons

5 Things that activate alpha motor neurons:

1. Other Neurons
1. Neuronal to neuronal signal. 
2. When a signal comes, in order to activate an alpha motor neuron, the signal must reach the cell body of the Alpha Motor Neuron (in the grey matter of the spinal cord, specifically in the anterior horn cells). 
2. Higher Brain Centers
1. The motor cortex sends signals to alpha motor neurons that causes certain skeletal muscles to contract while other skeletal muscles are relaxing.
3. Lower Brain Centers
1. Basal Ganglia (influences motor neurons more than anything else in the lower brain center).
2. 3 subdivisions (nuclei), all have the potential to activate an alpha motor neuron. 

                                                               i.      Caudate

                                                             ii.      Putamen

                                                            iii.      Globus Pallidus

4. Reflex Stimuli
5. Muscle Spindles + Muscle Receptors

 Bottom line:  In order to exert muscular force and perform any type of movement using skeletal muscle, you have to activate an alpha motor neuron and those are the five ways that they are activated. 

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