Golgi tendon organs detect _____; with prolonged stimulation, causes _____ of antagonist.

Golgi tendon organs detect _____; with prolonged stimulation, causes _____ of antagonist.

• A. Stretch; excitation
• B. Pressure; relaxation
• C. Tension; inhibition
• D. Angle; activation

Answer: (C)

Golgi tendon organs monitor the amount of force transmitted through a tendon. They’re activated by increased tension during muscle contraction. The signal travels via Ib afferent fibers to the spinal cord, where it engages inhibitory interneurons that reduce the activity of the alpha motor neurons to the same muscle. This autogenic inhibition lowers the muscle’s tension, protecting the tendon from damage. When the tension is sustained, this inhibitory effect persists, which is captured by the pairing “tension … inhibition.” The other options don’t fit because Golgi tendon organs respond to tension, not stretch, pressure, or angle.

Golgi tendon organs monitor the amount of force transmitted through a tendon. They’re activated by increased tension during muscle contraction. The signal travels via Ib afferent fibers to the spinal cord, where it engages inhibitory interneurons that reduce the activity of the alpha motor neurons to the same muscle. This autogenic inhibition lowers the muscle’s tension, protecting the tendon from damage. When the tension is sustained, this inhibitory effect persists, which is captured by the pairing “tension … inhibition.” The other options don’t fit because Golgi tendon organs respond to tension, not stretch, pressure, or angle.