The figure on the right shows the organization of three smal

The figure on the right shows the organization of three small motor units. Notice that the muscle fibers in each motor unit are dispersed throughout a muscle and intermingle with muscle fibers of the other motor units. What do you think is the functional significance of such an arrangement?

Solution

The muscle fibers which composes the motor unit is seen dispersed throughout the whole muscles, this arrangement will help in the generation of simultaneous contraction and its distribution. The presence of number of intermingled motor unit in each muscle will allow even the weak contraction to activate one or a few of its motor units. At the same time, for strong contractions, more motor units will get activated and will result in the motor unit recruitment.

Due to the dispersion of muscle fibers in each motor unit, the simultaneous contraction and even distribution is possible.