Chapter 21: Neural Control and Coordination – Case-Based / Source-Based Questions with Answers

CBSE Class 11 Biology Case-Based Questions – Neural Control and Coordination (NCERT)

Course & Examination Details

• Course: CBSE Class 11 Biology
• Prescribed By: Central Board of Secondary Education
• Based On: NCERT
• Unit: Unit V – Human Physiology
• Chapter: Chapter 21 – Neural Control and Coordination
• Question Type: Case-Based / Source-Based Questions
• Exam Relevance: CBSE Class 11 Annual Examination, Unit Tests, Competency-Based Assessments

Section A: Nervous System (Case 1–8)

Case 1

A student touches a hot iron and immediately withdraws the hand.

Q1. Name the type of response involved.
Answer:
It is a reflex action, which is a rapid and involuntary response to a stimulus.

Case 2

During a biology class, students discuss fast and slow coordinating systems.

Q2. Which system provides faster coordination in humans?
Answer:
The nervous system provides faster coordination through electrical nerve impulses.

Case 3

A patient has damage to spinal cord but brain remains functional.

Q3. Which activity will be most affected initially?
Answer:
Reflex actions will be affected because the spinal cord controls most reflexes.

Case 4

An athlete’s heartbeat increases suddenly before a race.

Q4. Which division of nervous system causes this change?
Answer:
The sympathetic nervous system causes increase in heart rate.

Case 5

After eating food, digestion is enhanced and heartbeat slows.

Q5. Which nervous system is active in this condition?
Answer:
The parasympathetic nervous system is active during digestion.

Case 6

A nerve diagram shows cranial nerves emerging from brain.

Q6. How many pairs of cranial nerves are present in humans?
Answer:
There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves in humans.

Case 7

A nerve impulse travels from receptor to CNS.

Q7. Which type of neuron is involved?
Answer:
A sensory neuron carries impulses from receptor to CNS.

Case 8

A student notes that nervous coordination is faster than hormonal coordination.

Q8. Give one reason for this difference.
Answer:
Nervous coordination uses electrical impulses, while hormones travel slowly through blood.

Section B: Neuron & Synapse (Case 9–15)

Case 9

A microscopic slide shows neuron with long axon and many dendrites.

Q9. Name the structural unit shown.
Answer:
The structure shown is a neuron, the functional unit of nervous system.

Case 10

A neuron receives impulses from multiple sources.

Q10. Which part of neuron receives these impulses?
Answer:
Dendrites receive impulses from other neurons or receptors.

Case 11

Impulse transmission is very fast in certain nerve fibres.

Q11. Which feature increases speed of impulse conduction?
Answer:
Presence of myelin sheath increases speed of nerve impulse conduction.

Case 12

Impulse jumps between gaps in myelinated axon.

Q12. Name this type of conduction.
Answer:
This type of conduction is called saltatory conduction.

Case 13

At a junction, neurotransmitters are released to transmit impulses.

Q13. Name this junction.
Answer:
The junction is called a synapse.

Case 14

Impulse transmission occurs in only one direction at synapse.

Q14. Why is synaptic transmission unidirectional?
Answer:
Neurotransmitters are released only from presynaptic membrane and receptors are on postsynaptic membrane.

Case 15

A chemical messenger is released in synaptic cleft.

Q15. Name one common neurotransmitter.
Answer:
Acetylcholine is a common neurotransmitter.

Section C: Brain (Case 16–21)

Case 16

A person loses ability to maintain balance after injury.

Q16. Which part of brain is damaged?
Answer:
The cerebellum is damaged, which maintains posture and balance.

Case 17

A patient shows loss of memory and intelligence.

Q17. Which brain part is mainly affected?
Answer:
The cerebrum is mainly affected.

Case 18

A student feels thirsty during hot weather.

Q18. Which part of brain regulates thirst?
Answer:
The hypothalamus regulates thirst.

Case 19

A diagram shows relay of sensory impulses to cerebrum.

Q19. Which brain structure acts as relay centre?
Answer:
The thalamus acts as the sensory relay centre.

Case 20

Breathing and heartbeat stop after severe brain injury.

Q20. Which part of brain controls these activities?
Answer:
The medulla oblongata controls breathing and heartbeat.

Case 21

The brain is surrounded by a fluid-filled space.

Q21. Name this protective fluid.
Answer:
The fluid is cerebrospinal fluid.

Section D: Reflex Action & Disorders (Case 22–25)

Case 22

A knee-jerk response is tested by a doctor.

Q22. Name this type of reflex.
Answer:
It is a spinal reflex.

Case 23

Reflex action involves a definite pathway.

Q23. What is this pathway called?
Answer:
The pathway is called a reflex arc.

Case 24

A patient shows tremors and muscle rigidity.

Q24. Identify the neurological disorder.
Answer:
The disorder is Parkinson’s disease.

Case 25

A child suffers from sudden seizures due to abnormal brain activity.

Q25. Name this condition.
Answer:
The condition is called epilepsy.

NCERT & CBSE Compliance Note

✔ Strictly based on NCERT Class 11 Biology
✔ Competency-based, application-oriented questions
✔ Fully aligned with CBSE assessment pattern
✔ Ideal for board exams and internal assessments