National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Practice Exam

What term describes the phenomenon when neurons link up by electrochemical signals?

1. Motor learning

2. Motor control

3. Nerve impulses

4. Structural efficiency

The correct answer is: Nerve impulses

The phenomenon of neurons linking up by electrochemical signals is best described as nerve impulses. This term refers specifically to the electrical and chemical processes that occur when neurons communicate with one another. When a neuron is activated, it generates an electrical signal known as an action potential. This signal travels along the axon of the neuron and, when it reaches the synaptic terminals, it releases neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters then cross the synapse and influence the activity of adjacent neurons, allowing for the propagation of the signal. Motor learning refers to the process of acquiring and refining motor skills through practice and experience, which does not directly pertain to the electrochemical signaling of neurons. Motor control involves the regulation of movement and can be influenced by the neurophysiological processes but does not specifically describe the linking of neurons via signals. Structural efficiency focuses on how well body structures and systems are designed and utilized during movement, rather than the underlying neuronal communication. Therefore, the term that precisely captures the linking of neurons through electrochemical signals is nerve impulses.