What are two types of nerves, and their functions, in the muscles?
The two types of nerves are known as Alpha Motor Neurons and Gamma Motor Neurons. Their functions in the muscles are to innervate the intrafusal and extrafusal muscle fibers. The Alpha Motor Neurons innervate extrafusal muscle fibers of skeletal muscle and are directly responsible for initiating their contraction. Gamma Motor Neurons regulate the gain of the stretch reflex by adjusting the level of tension in the intrafusal muscle fibers of the muscle spindle. This mechanism sets the baseline level of activity in Alpha Motor Neurons and helps to regulate muscle length and tone.
