Neuron & Nervous System — NEET Biology MCQs with Solutions
Free NEET Biology Neuron & Nervous System MCQs with step-by-step solutions (83 questions). Part of Neural Control and Coordination. Practise online on Prepizo — no login needed.
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Questions with solutions
Q1 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy · theory
The structural and functional unit of the nervous system is the:
A. Sarcomere
B. Neuron ✓ Correct
C. Nephron
D. Alveolus
Solution: The neuron (nerve cell) is the basic unit that conducts nerve impulses.
Q2 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy · theory
The part of a neuron that receives impulses and carries them toward the cell body is the:
A. Dendrite ✓ Correct
B. Myelin sheath
C. Synapse
D. Axon
Solution: Dendrites receive signals and carry them toward the cell body; the axon carries impulses away.
Q3 — Neuron & Nervous System · medium · theory
The human nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and the:
A. Digestive system
B. Circulatory system
C. Peripheral nervous system (PNS) ✓ Correct
D. Endocrine system
Solution: CNS = brain + spinal cord; PNS = the nerves connecting the CNS to the body.
Q4 — Neuron & Nervous System · medium · theory
The fatty insulating layer around some axons that speeds up impulse conduction is the:
A. Synaptic cleft
B. Myelin sheath ✓ Correct
C. Neurilemma only
D. Sarcolemma
Solution: The myelin sheath insulates the axon; impulses "jump" between nodes of Ranvier (saltatory conduction), speeding transmission.
Q5 — Neuron & Nervous System · hard · theory
The autonomic nervous system is divided into two antagonistic parts:
A. Motor and sensory
B. Cranial and spinal
C. Sympathetic and parasympathetic ✓ Correct
D. Somatic and central
Solution: The ANS has the sympathetic ("fight or flight") and parasympathetic ("rest and digest") divisions.
Q6 — Neuron & Nervous System · hard · theory
Conduction of a nerve impulse is faster in a myelinated fibre because:
A. The impulse jumps from node to node (saltatory conduction) ✓ Correct
B. The axon is thinner
C. There is no membrane potential
D. The neurotransmitter travels faster
Solution: In myelinated axons, the impulse leaps between nodes of Ranvier, making conduction much faster than in unmyelinated fibres.
Q7 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy · numerical
A neuron that has a single axon and two or more dendrites arising from the cell body, typical of most neurons in the vertebrate brain, is classified as a:
A. Multipolar neuron ✓ Correct
B. Bipolar neuron
C. Apolar neuron
D. Unipolar neuron
Solution: A multipolar neuron has one axon and several dendrites; these are the commonest neurons, found in the cerebral cortex. Bipolar (one axon + one dendrite) occur in the retina and cochlea, unipolar in embryos.
Q8 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy · numerical
Which one of the following correctly matches a neuron type with its typical location? (i) Bipolar — retina of eye; (ii) Multipolar — cerebral cortex; (iii) Unipolar — embryonic stage.
A. Only (i) and (iii) are correct
B. All three matches are correct ✓ Correct
C. Only (i) and (ii) are correct
D. Only (ii) and (iii) are correct
Solution: Bipolar neurons occur in the retina and olfactory epithelium, multipolar neurons in the cerebral cortex, and unipolar neurons are usually found only in the embryonic stage. All three pairings are correct.
Q9 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy · numerical
In a myelinated nerve fibre of the peripheral nervous system, the myelin sheath is produced by which cells, and the small gaps where the sheath is absent are called:
A. Schwann cells; nodes of Ranvier ✓ Correct
B. Oligodendrocytes; nodes of Ranvier
C. Schwann cells; synaptic clefts
D. Astrocytes; internodes
Solution: In the PNS, Schwann cells wrap around the axon to form the myelin sheath, and the periodic unmyelinated gaps between adjacent Schwann cells are the nodes of Ranvier. (In the CNS, oligodendrocytes make myelin.)
Q10 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy · numerical
The part of a neuron that conducts the nerve impulse away from the cell body and ends in fine branches bearing synaptic knobs is the:
A. Nissl granule
B. Axon ✓ Correct
C. Dendrite
D. Cyton
Solution: The axon carries impulses away from the cell body toward the axon terminals (synaptic knobs). Dendrites receive impulses and conduct them toward the cyton.
Q11 — Neuron & Nervous System · medium · numerical
Assertion (A): Nissl granules are found in the cyton and dendrites of a neuron but not in the axon. Reason (R): Nissl granules are aggregations of rough endoplasmic reticulum involved in protein synthesis, and the axon lacks them.
A. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
B. A is true but R is false
C. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A ✓ Correct
D. A is false but R is true
Solution: Nissl bodies are rough ER with ribosomes, present in the cyton and dendrites for protein synthesis but absent from the axon and axon hillock. R correctly explains their distribution.
Q12 — Neuron & Nervous System · medium · numerical
Which of the following statements about the divisions of the autonomic nervous system is INCORRECT?
A. The sympathetic division prepares the body for emergency "fight or flight" responses
B. The parasympathetic division uses noradrenaline as its main postganglionic neurotransmitter at target organs ✓ Correct
C. The parasympathetic division slows the heartbeat and promotes digestion
D. The sympathetic division dilates the pupil while the parasympathetic constricts it
Solution: The parasympathetic postganglionic neurons release acetylcholine (cholinergic), not noradrenaline; most sympathetic postganglionic fibres are adrenergic. The other three statements are correct.
Q13 — Neuron & Nervous System · medium · numerical
The somatic neural system and the autonomic neural system differ primarily in that the somatic system:
A. Includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
B. Relays impulses only to smooth muscles and glands involuntarily
C. Relays impulses from the CNS to skeletal (voluntary) muscles ✓ Correct
D. Consists solely of the brain and spinal cord
Solution: The somatic neural system carries motor impulses from the CNS to skeletal muscles under voluntary control. The autonomic system innervates smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands involuntarily and comprises the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.
Q14 — Neuron & Nervous System · medium · numerical
Grey matter of the brain and spinal cord appears grey because it is composed mainly of:
A. Schwann cells forming thick myelin
B. Neuron cell bodies and non-myelinated fibres ✓ Correct
C. Myelinated axons and their sheaths
D. Cerebrospinal fluid and blood vessels
Solution: Grey matter consists chiefly of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites and non-myelinated fibres, giving it a greyish colour. White matter is dominated by myelinated axons, whose myelin gives the white appearance.
Q15 — Neuron & Nervous System · medium · numerical
Neuroglial cells (glia) differ from neurons in that neuroglia:
A. Secrete neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft
B. Are the only cells that generate and transmit action potentials
C. Do not conduct nerve impulses but support, protect and nourish neurons ✓ Correct
D. Form the sensory receptors of the sense organs
Solution: Neuroglia make up more than half the volume of neural tissue and provide structural support, insulation and nourishment to neurons, but they do not conduct impulses. Only neurons generate and propagate action potentials.
Q16 — Neuron & Nervous System · medium · numerical
Arrange the following in the correct sequence in which a nerve impulse travels through a typical neuron: (1) axon, (2) dendrites, (3) cell body, (4) synaptic knob.
A. 1 → 2 → 3 → 4
B. 2 → 1 → 3 → 4
C. 3 → 2 → 1 → 4
D. 2 → 3 → 1 → 4 ✓ Correct
Solution: An impulse is received by the dendrites, passed to the cell body, conducted along the axon, and finally reaches the synaptic knobs of the axon terminals for transmission. The order is dendrites → cell body → axon → synaptic knob.
Q17 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy
The process by which two or more organs interact and complement the functions of one another is called
A. Accommodation
B. Coordination ✓ Correct
C. Homeostasis
D. Adaptation
Solution: Coordination is the process by which two or more organs interact and complement one another's functions.
Q18 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy
Body coordination is maintained by
A. Circulatory system
B. Nervous system
C. Both (2) and (3) ✓ Correct
D. Endocrine system
Solution: The neural and endocrine systems jointly coordinate and integrate all body activities.
Q19 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy
Intercellular communication in multicellular organisms occurs through
A. Digestive system
B. Nervous system
C. Respiratory system only
D. Both nervous and endocrine systems ✓ Correct
Solution: Intercellular communication and integration is achieved jointly by the nervous and endocrine systems.
Q20 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy
The functions of the organs/organ systems in our body must be coordinated to maintain
A. Hemoptysis
B. Homeostasis ✓ Correct
C. Hematochezia
D. Hematemesis
Solution: Coordination of organ functions maintains homeostasis, the stable internal environment.
Q21 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy
The increased supply of oxygen necessitates an increase in the rate of
A. All of the above ✓ Correct
B. Blood flow via blood vessels
C. Heart beat
D. Respiration
Solution: Meeting increased oxygen demand requires increased respiration, heart beat and blood flow together.
Q22 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy
The endocrine system provides chemical integration through
A. Hormones ✓ Correct
B. Both (1) and (3)
C. Acetylcholine
D. Enzymes
Solution: The endocrine system integrates body functions chemically through hormones.
Q23 — Neuron & Nervous System · medium
Read the following statements and choose the incorrect option. (1) During physical exercise supply of oxygen is increased. (2) The functions of muscles, lungs, heart, blood vessels, kidney and other organs are coordinated while performing physical exercise. (3) The endocrine system provides an organised network of point-to-point connections for a quick coordination. (4) None of the above
A. The endocrine system provides an organised network of point-to-point connections for a quick coordination. ✓ Correct
B. During physical exercise supply of oxygen is increased.
C. The functions of muscles, lungs, heart, blood vessels, kidney and other organs are coordinated while performing physical exercise.
D. None of the above
Solution: It is the neural system, not the endocrine system, that provides an organised point-to-point network for quick coordination.
Q24 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy
Fill in the blanks: In our body the ...(a)... system and the ...(b)... system jointly coordinate and integrate all the activities of the organs so that they function in a synchronised fashion.
A. a-Neural, b-Vascular
B. a-Endocrine, b-Vascular
C. a-Neural, b-Endocrine ✓ Correct
D. All of the above
Solution: The neural and endocrine systems jointly coordinate and integrate all organ activities.
Q25 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy
The medulla contains centres which control
A. Respiration
B. Cardiovascular reflexes
C. Gastric secretions
D. All of the above ✓ Correct
Solution: The medulla oblongata controls respiration, cardiovascular reflexes and gastric secretions.
Q26 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy
The neural system of all animals is composed of highly specialised cells called
A. Neurons ✓ Correct
B. Nephrons
C. Axons
D. Glands
Solution: The neural system is composed of highly specialised cells called neurons that detect, receive and transmit stimuli.
Q27 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy
The neural organisation is very simple in
A. All invertebrates
B. Lower invertebrates ✓ Correct
C. Lower chordates
D. Vertebrates
Solution: Neural organisation is very simple in lower invertebrates (e.g., a nerve net in Hydra).
Q28 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy
In Hydra the neural system is composed of
A. Network of neurons ✓ Correct
B. All of the above
C. CNS and PNS
D. Ganglia
Solution: In Hydra the neural system is a simple network (nerve net) of neurons.
Q29 — Neuron & Nervous System · medium
The neural system is better organised in insects, where:
A. A brain is present
B. A brain is present along with neural tissues
C. All of the above
D. A brain is present along with a number of ganglia ✓ Correct
Solution: In insects the neural system is better organised with a brain along with a number of ganglia and neural tissues.
Q30 — Neuron & Nervous System · easy
Which of the following have a more developed neural system?
A. Higher invertebrates
B. Non-chordates
C. Vertebrates ✓ Correct
D. Invertebrates
Solution: Vertebrates possess a more developed and organised neural system.