Chapter 21: Neural Control and Coordination – MCQs with Answers & Explanations

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

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: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Exam Relevance: CBSE Class 11 Annual Exam, Unit Tests, Periodic Assessments

Section A: Nervous System (MCQ 1–18)

1. Neural coordination in humans is mainly achieved through

A. Hormones
B. Enzymes
C. Nerve impulses
D. Blood circulation

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Neural coordination uses electrical nerve impulses for rapid transmission and response.

2. Which system provides the fastest coordination in the body?

A. Endocrine system
B. Digestive system
C. Nervous system
D. Respiratory system

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The nervous system conducts electrical impulses rapidly, ensuring quick responses.

3. The central nervous system includes

A. Brain and nerves
B. Brain and spinal cord
C. Spinal cord and nerves
D. Cranial and spinal nerves

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord.

4. Number of cranial nerve pairs in humans is

A. 10
B. 11
C. 12
D. 13

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Humans possess 12 pairs of cranial nerves.

5. Number of spinal nerve pairs in humans is

A. 29
B. 30
C. 31
D. 32

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

6. Which division of nervous system controls involuntary actions?

A. Somatic nervous system
B. Peripheral nervous system
C. Autonomic nervous system
D. Central nervous system

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary activities.

7. “Fight or flight” response is regulated by

A. Parasympathetic system
B. Sympathetic system
C. Central nervous system
D. Somatic system

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Sympathetic system prepares the body for emergency situations.

8. Which system conserves energy in the body?

A. Sympathetic
B. Somatic
C. Parasympathetic
D. Peripheral

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Parasympathetic system slows heart rate and promotes digestion.

9. Cerebrospinal fluid functions to

A. Conduct impulses
B. Produce hormones
C. Cushion the brain
D. Digest nutrients

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
CSF protects the brain from mechanical shock.

10. Homeostasis refers to

A. Body growth
B. External balance
C. Internal stability
D. Cell division

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Homeostasis is maintenance of a stable internal environment.

11. The spinal cord primarily controls

A. Memory
B. Learning
C. Reflex actions
D. Intelligence

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Most reflex actions are controlled by spinal cord.

12. Which system links nervous and endocrine coordination?

A. Cerebellum
B. Medulla
C. Hypothalamus
D. Thalamus

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Hypothalamus connects nervous system with endocrine system.

13. Nervous responses are faster than hormonal responses because

A. Hormones are proteins
B. Nerves use electrical impulses
C. Hormones are secreted slowly
D. Hormones act locally

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Electrical impulses travel much faster than chemical messengers.

14. Which part of CNS acts as relay centre for sensory impulses?

A. Cerebrum
B. Thalamus
C. Hypothalamus
D. Cerebellum

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Thalamus relays sensory information to cerebrum.

15. Damage to spinal cord will immediately affect

A. Memory
B. Reflex actions
C. Vision
D. Hearing

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Spinal cord controls most reflexes.

16. Autonomic nervous system is mainly concerned with

A. Voluntary movement
B. Conscious thought
C. Involuntary activities
D. Learning

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
ANS controls involuntary body functions.

17. Which nervous system division controls skeletal muscles?

A. Autonomic
B. Somatic
C. Parasympathetic
D. Sympathetic

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Somatic nervous system controls voluntary skeletal muscle actions.

18. Nervous coordination mainly helps in

A. Slow responses
B. Rapid responses
C. Growth
D. Reproduction

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Nervous coordination enables quick responses to stimuli.

Section B: Neuron & Synapse (MCQ 19–35)

19. Structural and functional unit of nervous system is

A. Brain
B. Spinal cord
C. Neuron
D. Nerve

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Neuron is the basic unit responsible for impulse transmission.

20. Dendrites function to

A. Conduct impulses away from cell body
B. Receive impulses
C. Release neurotransmitters
D. Protect neuron

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Dendrites receive nerve impulses.

21. Axon conducts impulses

A. Toward cell body
B. Around cell body
C. Away from cell body
D. Inside nucleus

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Axon carries impulses away from the cell body.

22. Sensory neurons transmit impulses

A. From CNS to muscles
B. Between neurons
C. From receptors to CNS
D. From CNS to glands

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Sensory neurons carry impulses from receptors to CNS.

23. Motor neurons transmit impulses

A. From receptors to CNS
B. From CNS to effectors
C. Between neurons
D. From brain to spinal cord

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Motor neurons carry impulses from CNS to effectors.

24. Interneurons are found mainly in

A. Muscles
B. Glands
C. CNS
D. Skin

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Interneurons connect neurons within CNS.

25. Myelin sheath increases

A. Size of neuron
B. Impulse speed
C. Neurotransmitter release
D. Synapse number

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Myelin sheath speeds up impulse conduction.

26. Nodes of Ranvier are found in

A. Non-myelinated fibres
B. Cell body
C. Myelinated axons
D. Dendrites

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Nodes are gaps in myelinated axons.

27. Saltatory conduction occurs in

A. Dendrites
B. Non-myelinated fibres
C. Myelinated fibres
D. Cell body

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Impulse jumps between nodes in myelinated fibres.

28. Resting membrane potential exists due to

A. Equal ion distribution
B. Sodium-potassium pump
C. Neurotransmitters
D. Myelin sheath

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Sodium-potassium pump maintains ionic imbalance.

29. During depolarization

A. K⁺ enters neuron
B. Na⁺ exits neuron
C. Na⁺ enters neuron
D. K⁺ enters synapse

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Sodium ions enter neuron causing depolarization.

30. Repolarization occurs due to

A. Na⁺ influx
B. Ca²⁺ influx
C. K⁺ efflux
D. Cl⁻ influx

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Potassium ions move out restoring resting potential.

31. Junction between two neurons is called

A. Node
B. Axon
C. Synapse
D. Dendrite

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Synapse allows transmission between neurons.

32. Chemical synapse transmits impulses using

A. Ions
B. Hormones
C. Neurotransmitters
D. Enzymes

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Chemical synapse uses neurotransmitters.

33. Electrical synapse differs because it

A. Uses chemicals
B. Is slower
C. Allows direct ion flow
D. Is unidirectional

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Electrical synapse allows direct ionic flow.

34. Transmission across chemical synapse is

A. Bidirectional
B. Unidirectional
C. Random
D. Slow only

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Chemical synapse ensures one-way transmission.

35. Acetylcholine is an example of

A. Hormone
B. Enzyme
C. Neurotransmitter
D. Ion

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Acetylcholine transmits impulses across synapse.

Section C: Brain & Reflex Action (MCQ 36–50)

36. Largest part of human brain is

A. Cerebellum
B. Medulla
C. Cerebrum
D. Pons

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Cerebrum is the largest brain part.

37. Cerebrum controls

A. Heartbeat
B. Breathing
C. Voluntary actions
D. Reflexes

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Cerebrum controls voluntary movements and intelligence.

38. Cerebellum mainly maintains

A. Memory
B. Balance and posture
C. Respiration
D. Temperature

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Cerebellum coordinates balance and posture.

39. Hypothalamus regulates

A. Hearing
B. Vision
C. Hunger and temperature
D. Learning

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Hypothalamus controls hunger, thirst, and temperature.

40. Medulla oblongata controls

A. Thinking
B. Voluntary actions
C. Heartbeat and breathing
D. Memory

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Medulla controls vital involuntary activities.

41. A reflex action is

A. Slow and voluntary
B. Rapid and involuntary
C. Conscious response
D. Hormonal response

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Reflex action is quick and involuntary.

42. Reflex actions are mainly controlled by

A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Spinal cord
D. Thalamus

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Spinal cord controls most reflexes.

43. Pathway of reflex action is called

A. Synapse
B. Reflex arc
C. Nerve tract
D. Axon

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Reflex arc is the pathway of reflex action.

44. Knee-jerk reflex is an example of

A. Cranial reflex
B. Conditioned reflex
C. Spinal reflex
D. Voluntary action

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Knee-jerk reflex is controlled by spinal cord.

45. Reflex actions are protective because they

A. Are slow
B. Involve brain
C. Provide quick response
D. Are learned

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
They prevent injury by quick response.

46. Parkinson’s disease is due to degeneration of

A. Sensory neurons
B. Motor neurons
C. Dopamine neurons
D. Interneurons

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Loss of dopamine neurons causes Parkinson’s disease.

47. Epilepsy is characterized by

A. Memory loss
B. Tremors
C. Seizures
D. Paralysis

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Epilepsy causes recurrent seizures.

48. Alzheimer’s disease mainly affects

A. Muscles
B. Bones
C. Memory
D. Reflexes

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Alzheimer’s causes progressive memory loss.

49. Effectors in nervous system include

A. Neurons only
B. Muscles and glands
C. Brain only
D. Hormones

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Effectors respond by contraction or secretion.

50. Neural coordination is essential for

A. Slow growth
B. Rapid response and survival
C. Digestion only
D. Respiration only

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Neural coordination enables quick responses and survival.

NCERT & CBSE Compliance Note

✔ Strictly based on NCERT Class 11 Biology
✔ Concept-clearing explanations included
✔ Fully aligned with CBSE exam pattern
✔ Ideal for revision, practice, and assessments

🎯 Targeting Exams

This MCQ set is ideal for preparation of:

• CBSE Class 11 Biology Annual Examination

• CBSE Unit Tests & Periodic Assessments

• NEET (UG) – Human Physiology & Nervous System

• CUET (UG) – Biology Section

• State Board Class 11 Biology Exams

• Medical & Paramedical Entrance Foundation Courses

🔑 Related & Semantic Keyphrases

• Neural Control and Coordination MCQs Class 11

• CBSE Class 11 Biology Chapter 21 MCQs

• NCERT Neural Control and Coordination MCQs

• Nervous System MCQs Class 11 Biology

• Neuron and Synapse MCQs Class 11

• Brain and Reflex Action MCQs

• Human Nervous System MCQs NCERT

• Class 11 Biology Objective Questions Human Physiology