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 biology nervous system of man human nervous system the structure of brain the human brain

The incorrectly matched pair is 

  1. Cerebral aqueduct - canal that passes through midbrain

  2. Corpora quadrigemina - four rounded swellings present on ventral portion of midbrain

  3. Cerebrum - Very convoluted surface

  4. Medulla oblongata - controls gastric secretions.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

  1. The canal that passes through midbrain - canal aqueduct
  2. The corpora quadrigemina are the four colliculi—two inferior, two superior—located on the tectum of the dorsal aspect of the midbrain.
  3. The cerebral cortex of the human brain is highly convoluted, meaning it has many folds and creases. 
  4. The medulla oblongata controls gastric secretion both by the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system and the endocrine system.
Hence, the correct answer is 'Cerebral aqueduct - canal that passes through midbrain'

Multiple choice biology nervous system of man human nervous system the structure of brain the human brain

Consider the following statement.
(a) The forebrain is the centre of intelligence, control of movements, hearing, smell and sight.
(b) Control and coordination are functions of nervous and endocrine systems.
(c) The rise in sugar level in blood stops the secretion of insulin by the pancreas.
 Which of the above statements are correct?

  1. (a) and (b)

  2. (b) and (c)

  3. (a) and (c)

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The forebrain is the part of the brain that includes cerebrum, thalamus and hypothalamus. It is involved in many functions, much of which are linked to the cerebrum. For example, intelligence or higher brain power is associated with the cerebrum. The outermost layer of the cerebrum is made up of four lobes frontal, temporal,parietal and occipital. The hearing, smelling and forming memories are functions of the temporal lobe. Vision is controlled by the occipital lobe. At the base of the forebrain-basal ganglia are found which control movement. Control and coordination are functions of nervous and endocrine systems because hypothalamus stimulates the master gland that regulates function of the other glands and brain and spinal cord (part of nervous system) directly regulates the function of other body parts.

The rise in sugar level in blood increases the secretion of insulin by the pancreas. Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice biology nervous system of man human nervous system the structure of brain the human brain

Most of the involuntary actions are controlled by 

  1. Medulla oblongata

  2. Cerebrum

  3. Cerebellum

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

Involuntary actions are those action that controlled by medulla oblongata which is a part of the autonomous nervous system where as voluntary actions are controlled by the cerebellum. The medulla oblongata directly controls heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing and digestion. It is located in the hindbrain, anterior to the cerebellum. It is a cone-shaped and contains the cardiac, respiratory, vomiting and vasomotor centers. Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice biology nervous system of man human nervous system the structure of brain the human brain

Which statement is wrong about the function of brain?

  1. Hypothalamus mainly controls autonomic nervous system.

  2. Voluntary muscle activity is started by cerebellum.

  3. Medulla oblongata regulates involuntary activity of our body.

  4. Thalamus is responsible for crude sensation.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The hypothalamus and the brain stem controls the autonomic nervous system. They have control on the various functions like the respiration rate, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, sweating, etc. The motor cortex area in the cerebrum is responsible for voluntary muscle activity. The cerebellum helps in coordinating the voluntary movements. Medulla oblongata is the brain stem which controls many involuntary activities like respiration, blood pressure, etc. The spinothalamic pathway is the tract followed by the sensation from skin to thalamus.

So, the correct answer is option B.

Multiple choice biology nervous system of man human nervous system the structure of brain the human brain

Which of the following is not correctly matched?

  1. Forebrain - Olfaction

  2. Hypothalamus - Pituitary

  3. Cerebellum - Balance

  4. Medulla oblongata- Temperature regulation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The medulla oblongata controls autonomic functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Temperature regulation is primarily the function of the hypothalamus, not the medulla.

Multiple choice biology nervous system of man human nervous system the structure of brain the human brain

Optic thalami are

  1. Optic lobes

  2. Optocoels

  3. Lateral walls of diencephalon

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The diencephalon is the small and posterior region of the forebrain. It is made up of the following parts:

  1. Thalamus/optic thalami: It forms the upper lateral walls of the diencephalon and makes up about 80% of the diencephalon. It is the relay centre of the brain.
  2. Hypothalamus: It forms the lower lateral wall of the diencephalon. It is called the thermostat of the body.
  3. Epithalamus: It forms the roof of the diencephalon. The pineal body is present in it.
Hence, the correct answer is 'Lateral walls of diencephalon'

Multiple choice biology nervous system of man human nervous system the structure of brain the human brain

Subdural space is between

  1. Piamater and arachnoid

  2. Arachnoid and duramater

  3. Piamater and grey matter

  4. Grey matter and white matter
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The meninges are the coverings of the brain that are present interior to the cranium. The outermost layer is called the dura mater. The middle layer is the arachnoid mater. The pia mater is the innermost vascular layer. There is a space present between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater that is called the sub-dural space. It is filled with the serous fluid and provides mechanical support. The space between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater is called the sub-arachnoid space. It is filled with the cerebrospinal fluid.

Hence, the correct answer is 'Arachnoid and dura mater'

Multiple choice biology coordination generation and conduction of nerve impulse generation of nerve impulse neurons and synapses

Diencephalon is the centre for the following except

  1. Sweating

  2. Sneezing

  3. Thirst

  4. Hunger
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The diencephalon acts as a relay station and control center for autonomic functions like hunger, thirst, and body temperature regulation. Sneezing is a reflex action controlled primarily by the medulla oblongata in the brainstem, not the diencephalon.

Multiple choice biology coordination generation and conduction of nerve impulse generation of nerve impulse neurons and synapses

A touch on the right hand stimulates neurons in the

  1. Left somatic sensory area

  2. Left occipital lobe

  3. Right somatic sensory area

  4. Right occipital lobe
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sensory information from the right side of the body is processed in the contralateral (opposite) hemisphere of the brain. Therefore, touch on the right hand is processed in the left somatic sensory area.

Multiple choice biology coordination generation and conduction of nerve impulse generation of nerve impulse neurons and synapses

The release of chemical messenger from synaptic vesicles is under the influence of which of these ion(s)?

  1. Cl-

  2. Fe++ and s++

  3. Ca ++

  4. Mg++ and Sr++
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, voltage-gated calcium channels open. The influx of Ca++ ions triggers the fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, releasing neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

Multiple choice biology coordination generation and conduction of nerve impulse generation of nerve impulse neurons and synapses

An action potential travelling along an axon

  1. Moves rapidly in both direction

  2. Moves faster than a neurotransmitter

  3. Is slowed by myelin

  4. Travels through the blood
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that carries, boosts and modulates signals between neurons and other cells in the body. In most cases, a neurotransmitter is released from the axon terminal after an action potential has reached the synapse. The neurotransmitter then crosses the synaptic gap to reach the receptor site of the other cell or neuron. 

An action potential is a short-lasting event in which the electrical membrane potential of a cell rapidly rises and falls, which follows a consistent trajectory. Action potentials occur in several types of animal cells, called excitable cells, which include neurons, muscle cells, and endocrine cells, as well as in some plant cells. So, the correct answer is option B.

Multiple choice zoology endocrine system and chemical co-ordination parathyroid gland thyroid and parathyroid gland thyroid, parathyroid and thymus gland

Low Ca$^{2+}$ in body fluid may be the reason for 

  1. Anaemia

  2. Angina pectoris

  3. Gout

  4. Tetany
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
Low calcium levels in body cause hypocalcaemia. This may cause tetany, a disorder that occurs due to deficiency of parathormone. Parathormone is secreted from the parathyroid gland and increases blood calcium level by increasing the reabsorption of calcium from the bones. When parathormone levels are low, calcium level also gets decreased and this cause muscular spasms, a symptom of tetany. The muscles contract involuntarily and this causes painful cramps.
So, the correct answer is 'Tetany'.
Multiple choice biology body movements basics of joints joints and type of joints skeleton, joints and muscles

The brain is protected by the 

  1. Vertebrae

  2. Cranium

  3. Ribs

  4. Sternum
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

  • The skull is composed of two parts: the cranium and the mandible.
  •  In the human, cranium has two parts the neurocranium and the viscerocranium. 
  • The neurocranium forms the cranial cavity that surrounds and protects the brain and brainstem. 
  • The neurocranium consists of the occipital bone, two temporal bones, two parietal bones, the sphenoid, ethmoid, and frontal bones—all are joined together with sutures. Hence, The brain is protected by the Cranium.
So, the correct answer is 'Cranium'.