Mathematical and philosophical reflections on motor control systems

Abstract

In line with the tradition of the Dutch school of functional morphology, an attempt is made to integrate numerical models of sarcomeres, muscle fibres, muscles, bone-connective-tissue systems, joints, muscle spindles and neural networks into one model simulating motor control. There are two purposes for this attempt. Firstly, to indicate whether numerical properties of the organs forming a system of motor control can be explained in terms of its motor functions. Secondly, to indicate properties that emerge from the integration of the organs into a system of motor control: how much more is an integrated motor system than the sum of its functional components. The motor control system of chewing has been taken as an example, particularly that in rats.