Muscle spindles respond to muscle stretch, while Golgi tendon organs respond to changes in muscle __. Answer a. pain cross out b. tension cross out c. fatigue cross out d. instability
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: b. tension
Explanation:
Muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs are two types of proprioceptors—sensory receptors that provide information to the central nervous system about body position and movement. However, they have different roles and respond to different mechanical stimuli within the muscle-tendon unit.
Muscle spindles are found embedded within skeletal muscle fibers. They are sensitive to changes in muscle length and the speed at which a muscle is stretched. When a muscle is stretched too quickly or too far, the muscle spindle sends signals to the spinal cord, which then triggers a reflex contraction of the same muscle. This response, called the stretch reflex, helps prevent the muscle from overstretching and protects it from injury.
In contrast, Golgi tendon organs are located within the tendons, where muscle fibers attach to bone. These sensory receptors are sensitive to changes in muscle tension, not length. When a muscle contracts, tension increases at the tendon. If this tension becomes too great, the Golgi tendon organs detect it and send signals to the spinal cord. This initiates an inhibitory reflex that causes the muscle to relax. This reflex is known as the Golgi tendon reflex or inverse stretch reflex and serves a protective function. It prevents excessive force generation that could damage tendons or muscles.
This system of feedback from muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs allows for fine-tuned control of movement, coordination, and injury prevention. Together, they help the body adjust to changes in load, posture, and balance. While the muscle spindle promotes contraction in response to stretch, the Golgi tendon organ inhibits contraction when tension is too high, maintaining safe muscle operation. Therefore, Golgi tendon organs specifically respond to muscle tension, making choice b the correct answer.