Assignment task: An individual is complaining about a decrease in fine motor skills (like manipulating their fingers). The attending physician determines that their symptoms are due to decreased gamma motor neuron activity and an inability to continue sensing stretch within their muscles. Label your answers to the questions below.
Q1: Which specific type of neuron senses and signals when a muscle is stretched?
Q2: What type of proprioceptor senses muscle stretch?
Q3: What type of muscle fibers do gamma motor neurons innervate (be specific)?
Q4: Based on your answers above, how would decreased gamma motor neuron activity lead to an inability to sense stretch within muscles?