Biology

Nervous System Physiology

1,959 Questions

Enhance your knowledge of human neurobiology through questions on nervous system physiology. The topics cover brain anatomy, sensory modalities, and the neural mechanisms controlling speech and language. This resource is ideal for students preparing for medical and general science exams.

Brain anatomy and regionsNeural mechanismsLanguage processingSensory functions

Nervous System Physiology Questions

Multiple choice

Meninges are the membranes of connective tissue. What is the location of these membranes?

  1. Brain and spinal cord

  2. Cerebrum

  3. Mid brain

  4. Spinal cord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The meninges are three-layered protective membranes (dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater) that cover both the brain and spinal cord within the central nervous system. Option A correctly identifies this dual coverage. Options B and C name specific brain regions only, while option D only mentions the spinal cord.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the largest part of the brain?

  1. Cerebrum

  2. Pons

  3. Temporal lobe

  4. Cerebellum
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The cerebrum is the largest part of the human brain, comprising about 85% of brain weight and responsible for higher cognitive functions like thinking, reasoning, and voluntary movement. Option A is correct. The cerebellum coordinates balance and movement, the pons regulates breathing and relays signals, and the temporal lobe is just one region within the cerebrum.

Multiple choice

Regarding cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which of the following is a false statement?

  1. CSF is produced in the choroid plexus and drains into the cerebral arterial circle.

  2. It moves metabolic wastes away from the cells of nervous tissue.

  3. It has a specific gravity of 1.007, thus it buoys the brain.

  4. It maintains a volume of 140-200 ml and a fluid pressure of 10mm Hg.

  5. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in the choroid plexus but drains into sub-arachnoidal space and ventricular system.

Multiple choice

The correct sequence of meninges from inner to outer side is

  1. arachnoid – duramater – piamater

  2. arachnoid – piamater – duramater

  3. piamater – duramater – arachnoid

  4. piamater – arachnoid – duramater

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The correct sequence of meninges from inner to outer side is piamater – arachnoid – duramater.

Multiple choice

The regulation of biological clock in higher vertebrates is done by __________.

  1. cerebral cortex

  2. pituitary gland

  3. suprachiasmatic nuclei in hypothalamus

  4. thymus

  5. adrenal gland
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The primary circadian clock in mammals is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (or nuclei) (SCN), a pair of distinct groups of cells located in the hypothalamus. Destruction of the SCN results in the complete absence of a regular sleep–wake rhythm. The SCN receives information about illumination through the eyes. The retina of the eye contains photoreceptors (rods and cones), which are used for conventional vision. But the retina also contains specialised ganglion cells which are directly photosensitive, and project directly to the SCN where they help in the entrainment of this master circadian clock.

Multiple choice

Which lobe(s) of pituitary is/are almost absent in humans, but more functional in lower animals?

  1. Parietal lobe

  2. Anterior lobe

  3. Posterior lobe

  4. Intermediate lobe

  5. Posterior and intermediate lobes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The front part of the posterior pituitary is different from the rest of the lobe, and is called intermediate lobe. The intermediate lobe is almost absent in humans, but much larger and more functional in some lower animals.

Multiple choice

Broca’s area is concerned with

  1. word formation

  2. comprehension

  3. repetition

  4. reading
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Broca’s area is a premotor area concerned with word formation, lying immediately anterior to the primary motor cortex and immediately above the sylvian fissure. This region is called Broca’s area.

Multiple choice

______ is the largest part of the brain.

  1. Cerebellum

  2. Pituitary canal

  3. Central canal

  4. Medulla oblongata

  5. Cerebral cortex

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Cerebral cortex is the largest part of the brain. It is the wrinkled outer part of the brain.