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The Wiring Behind Your Reflexes
It doesn’t take brainpower to react to sudden danger; just a bit of spine.
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Your selections:
Movement
Critical Communication for Movement
Motor neurons are crucial for movement, from the simplest step to the most complex dance.
BrainFacts/SfN
Sensing Movement
The primate retina passes information about rapid movement to the brain.
BrainFacts/SfN
Why are some people left-handed?
There are likely advantages to having both left- and right-handed individuals in a population.
BrainFacts/SfN
Sensing Space or Moving Muscles?
Scientists are rethinking the role of nerve endings once thought to be involved in providing spatial information to the brain.
BrainFacts/SfN
Speedy Science: How Fast Can You React?
Think fast! Figure out your brain’s reaction time with this activity.
Scientific American
Brain and Behavior Lesson Plan
Students are introduced to brain structure, neurotransmitters, hormones, and neural networks in this nine part lesson.
Baylor College of Medicine
Swimming Zebrafish
Neurons in the brain and spinal cord cooperate to control complex movements, such as walking or swimming. Studying simple animals helps us understand how motion develops.
BrainFacts/SfN
Mouse Neuromuscular Junction
Neurons communicate with muscles in special kinds of connections called neuromuscular junctions. These exchanges help muscles to flex.
BrainFacts/SfN
Sea Slug Teeth
The giant sea slug
Apylsia
has a simple nervous system that makes them a useful model for neuroscience research. They also have rows of tiny sharp teeth, which cover a tongue-like structure.
BrainFacts/SfN
Why do some people toss and turn during sleep if your body is "paralyzed" to keep you from reenacting dreams?
Tossing and turning generally occurs during very brief arousals from sleep during the night.
BrainFacts/SfN
Movement: An Overview
From the stands at sports events, we marvel at the actions of athletes. But in fact, each of us in our daily activities performs a host of complex, skilled movements that are just as remarkable.
BrainFacts/SfN
More Complex Movements
Networks of spinal neurons also participate in controlling the alternating action of the legs during normal walking, maintaining posture, and, to a large degree, in all movements.
BrainFacts/SfN
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