Neural Control and Coordination — NEET Zoology MCQs with answers

Neural Control and Coordination is a Class 11 Zoology chapter in the NEET (UG) syllabus. NEET720 has 1,181 reviewed practice questions on it, each with a quick answer and a step-by-step explanation. The 8 questions below are free and fixed, so you can bookmark this page; the full chapter, plus mistake tracking and spaced revision, is in the app.

Topics covered

Neuron and Nerve Impulse · Synaptic Transmission · Human Brain and Spinal Cord · Reflex Action and Sensory Organs · Action potential and impulse conduction · Myelination and saltatory conduction · Action potential ionic basis · Chemical synapse mechanism · EPSP and IPSP · Peripheral nervous system - cranial nerves · Hypothalamus and neuroendocrine link · Sensory reception - eye and visual pathway · Action potential generation · Reflex action versus voluntary movement · Human brain regions and functions · Conduction velocity · Sensory Reception (Eye) · Sensory Reception (Ear) · Resting membrane potential · Nerve conduction · Human brain · Nervous system organisation · Meninges · Midbrain · Neurotransmission · Nervous system divisions · Impulse conduction · Reflexes · Limbic system · Impulse propagation · Cerebrospinal fluid · Refractory period · Sodium-potassium pump · Thalamus · Cranial and spinal nerves · Neuron structure and function · Sensory organs - Eye · Sensory organs - Ear · Action potential · Numerical - Nerve conduction

8 free Neural Control and Coordination practice questions with answers

Choose an answer in your head before opening it. Each explanation says why the correct option is right and, where relevant, why the tempting wrong option is wrong.

1. Question 1 · easy · Human Brain and Spinal Cord

   Which part of the human brain forms the major bulk of the brain and is primarily responsible for higher mental functions such as thinking and reasoning?

   • A.Cerebrum
   • B.Cerebellum
   • C.Medulla oblongata
   • D.Hypothalamus
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: A. Cerebrum

   The cerebrum forms the major part of the human brain and its cortex houses areas responsible for thinking, reasoning and memory.

   As per NCERT, the cerebrum constitutes the major bulk of the human brain. It is divided into two cerebral hemispheres and its outer cortex contains motor, sensory and association areas responsible for higher intellectual functions like thinking, reasoning, learning and memory. The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movement and balance but is not the seat of higher cognition; the medulla regulates involuntary autonomic activities; the hypothalamus regulates homeostatic centres, not abstract thought.

   Common mistake: Mixing up cerebrum with cerebellum due to similar-sounding names.

   Key point: Cerebrum = largest part of the brain, seat of higher intellectual functions.

2. Question 2 · easy · Human Brain and Spinal Cord

   The cerebrum is divided into two cerebral hemispheres by a deep cleft called the:

   • A.Central sulcus
   • B.Longitudinal fissure
   • C.Sylvian fissure
   • D.Transverse fissure
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: B. Longitudinal fissure

   A deep cleft called the longitudinal fissure divides the cerebrum into two cerebral hemispheres.

   NCERT states that a deep cleft, the longitudinal fissure, divides the cerebrum into two cerebral hemispheres. These hemispheres are connected internally by a tract of nerve fibres called the corpus callosum. The central sulcus and Sylvian fissure are surface grooves that demarcate lobes within a hemisphere, not the fissure separating the two hemispheres.

   Common mistake: Confusing longitudinal fissure with lobe-separating sulci.

   Key point: Longitudinal fissure separates the two cerebral hemispheres; corpus callosum reconnects them.

3. Question 3 · easy · Human Brain and Spinal Cord

   The two cerebral hemispheres are internally connected to each other by a tract of nerve fibres called the:

   • A.Thalamus
   • B.Reticular formation
   • C.Corpus callosum
   • D.Hypothalamus
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: C. Corpus callosum

   The corpus callosum is a tract of nerve fibres that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.

   NCERT notes that the two cerebral hemispheres are connected by a tract of nerve fibres called the corpus callosum, allowing communication and coordination of activity between the left and right hemispheres. The thalamus and hypothalamus are separate diencephalic structures involved in relay and homeostasis respectively, not interhemispheric connection.

   Common mistake: Confusing corpus callosum with thalamus/hypothalamus as connecting structures.

   Key point: Corpus callosum = fibre tract joining the two cerebral hemispheres.

4. Question 4 · medium · Human Brain and Spinal Cord

   The outer layer of the cerebrum, thrown into prominent folds, is called the:

   • A.Limbic lobe
   • B.Meninges
   • C.Corpus callosum
   • D.Cerebral cortex
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: D. Cerebral cortex

   The cerebral cortex is the folded outer layer of the cerebrum containing motor, sensory and association areas.

   NCERT describes the cerebral cortex as the layer of cerebrum thrown into prominent folds, which increases its surface area. The cortex contains motor areas, sensory areas and large 'silent areas' responsible for association of ideas and intersensory association, underlying higher intellectual functions. Meninges are protective coverings, not cortical tissue; corpus callosum is a connecting fibre tract; the limbic system is a functional grouping of deeper structures.

   Common mistake: Confusing cortex (cerebral tissue) with meninges (protective membranes).

   Key point: Cerebral cortex = folded outer grey matter layer housing motor, sensory and association areas.

5. Question 5 · medium · Human Brain and Spinal Cord

   The hypothalamus, which contains centres controlling body temperature and the urge for eating and drinking, is located:

   • A.At the base of the thalamus
   • B.Within the cerebral cortex
   • C.Between the two cerebellar hemispheres
   • D.Above the corpus callosum
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: A. At the base of the thalamus

   The hypothalamus lies at the base of the thalamus and contains centres regulating temperature, hunger and thirst.

   As per NCERT, the hypothalamus lies at the base of the thalamus. It contains a number of centres that control body temperature and the urge for eating and drinking. It also contains several groups of neurosecretory cells that secrete hypothalamic hormones. It is not part of the cerebral cortex, not near the cerebellum, and not positioned above the corpus callosum.

   Common mistake: Placing hypothalamus in cortex or near cerebellum instead of at the base of thalamus.

   Key point: Hypothalamus lies at the base of the thalamus; controls temperature, hunger, thirst; secretes hypothalamic hormones.

6. Question 6 · medium · Human Brain and Spinal Cord

   The inner parts of the cerebral hemispheres and a group of associated deep structures, together called the limbic system, along with the hypothalamus, are chiefly involved in regulating:

   • A.Filtration of blood in excretory organs
   • B.Sexual behaviour, expression of emotional reactions and motivation
   • C.Contraction of skeletal muscle fibres during movement
   • D.Secretion of digestive enzymes in the gut
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: B. Sexual behaviour, expression of emotional reactions and motivation

   The limbic system, together with the hypothalamus, regulates sexual behaviour, emotional reactions such as fear and rage, and motivation.

   NCERT states that the limbic system, along with the hypothalamus, is involved in the regulation of sexual behaviour, expression of emotional reactions (e.g., fear, rage) and motivation. It is not involved in excretory filtration, skeletal muscle contraction during movement, or digestive enzyme secretion, which are functions of other organ systems entirely.

   Common mistake: Assigning unrelated organ-system functions to the limbic system.

   Key point: Limbic system + hypothalamus regulate sexual behaviour, emotions (fear/rage) and motivation.

7. Question 7 · easy · Human Brain and Spinal Cord

   The large 'silent areas' of the cerebral cortex are best described as regions that:

   • A.Are electrically inactive at all times
   • B.Contain the primary sensory receiving areas only
   • C.Are responsible for association of ideas and intersensory association, underlying higher intellectual functions
   • D.Directly control voluntary muscle contraction
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: C. Are responsible for association of ideas and intersensory association, underlying higher intellectual functions

   Silent areas are association areas of the cortex responsible for intersensory association and higher intellectual functions like thinking, reasoning and memory.

   NCERT explains that besides motor and sensory areas, the cerebral cortex has large 'silent areas' responsible for association of ideas and intersensory association. These areas are involved in higher intellectual functions such as thinking, reasoning and memory. They are called 'silent' not because they are inactive, but because stimulating them does not produce an immediate, observable motor or sensory response, unlike the primary motor or sensory areas.

   Common mistake: Interpreting 'silent' as electrically inactive rather than functionally associative.

   Key point: Silent (association) areas handle intersensory association and higher cognition, not direct motor/sensory output.

8. Question 8 · medium · Human Brain and Spinal Cord

   Which statement best describes the functional role of the thalamus?

   • A.It secretes releasing and inhibiting hormones that control the pituitary gland
   • B.It coordinates voluntary muscle movement and maintains posture and balance
   • C.It regulates body temperature and the urge for eating and drinking
   • D.It is a major coordinating centre for sensory and motor signalling, acting as a critical relay station for sensory information reaching the cortex
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: D. It is a major coordinating centre for sensory and motor signalling, acting as a critical relay station for sensory information reaching the cortex

   The thalamus is a major coordinating centre for sensory and motor signalling and a key relay station for sensory information going to the cerebral cortex.

   NCERT states that the cerebrum wraps around a structure called the thalamus, which is a major coordinating centre for sensory and motor signalling. Nearly all sensory information (except olfaction, in NEET-depth treatment) is relayed through the thalamus before reaching the cerebral cortex for interpretation. Hormone secretion via releasing/inhibiting factors and temperature/hunger/thirst regulation belong to the hypothalamus, while movement coordination and balance belong to the cerebellum — both distinct from the thalamus's relay role.

   Common mistake: Mixing up thalamus's relay function with hypothalamus's homeostatic/hormonal functions.

   Key point: Thalamus = major sensory-motor relay/coordinating centre for signals reaching the cortex.

Questions about Neural Control and Coordination for NEET

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