The lower motor neurons that innervate contractile skeletal muscle fibers are called:

a. α-motor neurons.

b. β-motor neurons.

c. upper motor neurons.

d. γ-motor neurons.

Video transcript

Hey, everyone. Let's take a look at this question together which of the following motor neurons has the primary function of transmitting signals from the central nervous system to skeletal muscles leading to muscle contraction. Is it answer choice? A beta motor neurons, answer choice B alpha motor neurons, answer choice C gamma motor neurons or answer choice D sensory neurons. Let's work this problem out together to try to figure out which of the following motor neurons is the motor neuron with the primary function of transmitting the signals from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles resulting in muscle contraction. So, in order to solve this question, we have to recall what we have learned about muscle contraction, specifically the transmission of signals from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles to determine which of the following types of motor neurons is responsible for that. And we can recall that the motor neurons innervate the extrafusal muscle fibers, which does extrafusal muscle fibers are the main contractile fibers in skeletal muscles, which the main contractile fibers in the skeletal muscles are innervated by alpha motor neurons. And the activation of those alpha motor neurons is crucial for the voluntary movements and the generation of muscle force. Therefore, answer choice B alpha motor neurons is the correct answer. Since those alpha motor neurons are the type of motor neuron that's primary function is transmitting signals from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles resulting in muscle contraction. So answer choice B is the only correct answer. Choice. I hope you found this video to be helpful. Thank you and goodbye.