- Each cell in the M1 will be partial to a certain direction of movement (left, right, up, down, etc.) and will fire to the greatest degree possible when that direction of movement is needed
- When all of the cells from a region of the M1 are "averaged" we can predict the direction that a limb will move 

Degree of Firing Rates and Directional Movement

- A majority of cells in the M1 are associated with directional movement of the limbs
- This is based on cell's ability to change their firing rates (release of electrical impulse) based on the direction that an organism wants to move its limb

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- As established, the M1 is responsible for different parts of the body 
- However, an important distinction to make is whether the M1 is responsible for muscle contraction or directional movement of different body parts
- The M1 is ultimately responsible for both 

Breakdown of M1: Muscle Contraction vs. Movement

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

M1 Cells and Directional Movement

- A minority of M1 neurons are associated with muscle contractions, which will change the degree of firing (electrical impulses) in order to allow a muscle contraction to take place

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