Neural Control and Coordination — Class 11 MCQs with Answers

Neural Control and Coordination — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 11 Biology)

6 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. Tap an option to check yourself.

0 of 6 answered

1. Q1 of 6Easy

   Long process of a neuron carrying impulse away from cell body:

   ADendriteBAxonCSynapseDSoma
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   Answer: Axon

   Explanation: The axon is the long process that conducts impulses away from the cell body toward the synaptic knob; dendrites are the short, branched processes that carry impulses toward the cell body, the reverse direction.

2. Q2 of 6Easy

   Largest part of human brain:

   AMedullaBCerebellumCCerebrumDPons
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   Answer: Cerebrum

   Explanation: The cerebrum, forming the bulk of the forebrain with its two hemispheres, is the largest and most developed part of the human brain; the cerebellum is the second largest but only a fraction of its volume.

3. Q3 of 6Medium

   Sympathetic stimulation typically causes:

   ABladder emptyingBPupil constriction and lower HRCIncreased salivationDPupil dilation and heart rate increase
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   Answer: Pupil dilation and heart rate increase

   Explanation: Sympathetic activation is the 'fight-or-flight' response: it dilates pupils (mydriasis) and raises heart rate via noradrenaline; pupil constriction, a slowed heart rate and increased salivation are parasympathetic effects instead.

4. Q4 of 6Medium

   Resting membrane potential of neuron is approximately:

   A−70 mVB+30 mVC0 mVD−100 V
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   Answer: −70 mV

   Explanation: Resting potential is about −70 mV, inside negative relative to outside, maintained by the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pumping 3 Na⁺ out for every 2 K⁺ in; +30 mV is instead the peak of the action potential, not the resting state.

5. Q5 of 6Hard

   Medulla oblongata controls:

   ASpeech onlyBVisionCHeart rate, breathing, blood pressureDHearing
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   Answer: Heart rate, breathing, blood pressure

   Explanation: Medulla oblongata houses the vital autonomic centres for heart rate, respiratory rhythm and blood pressure, plus reflexes like vomiting and swallowing; speech production is instead a cortical (Broca's area) function.

6. Q6 of 6Hard

   Assertion: Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems act antagonistically. Reason: They use the same postganglionic transmitter throughout.

   ABoth true; R explains ABA true, R falseCBoth falseDA false, R true
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   Answer: A true, R false

   Explanation: Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems genuinely act antagonistically, but the given reason is false: sympathetic postganglionic neurons release noradrenaline while parasympathetic ones release acetylcholine, not one shared transmitter.

Neural Control and Coordination notes: key concepts (Class 11 Biology)

Neurons convey information as fast electrical and chemical signals. This chapter covers neuron structure, the ionic basis of the resting and action potentials, impulse conduction, synaptic transmission, the organisation of central and peripheral nervous systems, the reflex arc, and the divisions of the human brain.

Neuron

The neuron is the structural and functional unit: dendrites receive signals, the cell body integrates them, and one axon conducts the impulse onward.

Types of neurons

By structure neurons are multipolar (brain), bipolar (retina) or unipolar; myelinated axons conduct impulses faster than unmyelinated ones.

Resting potential

At rest the membrane is polarised (~−70 mV): K⁺ high inside, Na⁺ high outside, kept by the Na⁺–K⁺ pump and selective permeability.

Action potential

A threshold stimulus opens Na⁺ channels; Na⁺ floods in and the membrane depolarises, reversing to about +30 mV at that point.

Repolarisation

K⁺ channels then open and K⁺ leaves, restoring negativity (repolarisation); the Na⁺–K⁺ pump re-establishes the resting ionic gradients.

Impulse conduction

The action potential is self-propagating along the axon; in myelinated fibres it jumps node to node, giving faster saltatory conduction.

Synapse

A synapse links two neurons; at chemical synapses an arriving impulse triggers Ca²⁺ influx and neurotransmitter release across the synaptic cleft.

Neurotransmission

Neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine bind receptors on the post-synaptic membrane, opening ion channels to generate a new potential there.

CNS and PNS

The central nervous system is the brain and spinal cord; the peripheral nervous system's nerves are afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor).

Autonomic system

The autonomic PNS runs involuntary organs via sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) divisions with opposing effects.

Reflex arc

A reflex is an involuntary response over a fixed path: receptor → sensory neuron → spinal interneuron → motor neuron → effector, bypassing the brain.

Forebrain

The cerebrum handles thought and voluntary action; the thalamus relays sensory input, and the hypothalamus controls temperature, hunger and hormones.

Midbrain and hindbrain

The midbrain manages visual and auditory reflexes; the hindbrain's cerebellum coordinates balance while the pons and medulla control breathing and heartbeat.

Grey and white matter

In the brain grey matter is neuron cell bodies and white matter is myelinated axon tracts; the spinal cord shows the reverse arrangement outside.