Chapter No.

10 - The Nervous system

A. Multiple choice questions
1. The insulating sheath covering the axon is called

(a) Plasmalemma

(b) Neurolemma

(c) Dura mater

(d) Pia mater

Ans: (b) neurolemma

2. Which one of the following pairs of brain parts and its function is
not correctly matched?

(a) Cerebrum - memory

(b) Cerebellum - the balance of body

(c) Medulla oblongata - controls activities of internal organs

(d) Pons - consciousness

Ans: (d) Pons – consciousness

3. A mixed nerve is one which

(a) Carries sensation from 2 or more different sense organs

(b) Contains both sensory and motor fibers

(c) Has a common root but branches into two or more nerves to
different organs

(d) Has two or more roots from different parts of the brain

Ans: (b) Contains both sensory and motor fibers

4. Reflex action is controlled by

(a) Brain

(b) Spinal cord

(c) Autonomic nervous system

(d) Peripheral nervous system

Ans: (b) Spinal cord

5. Which one of the following is responsible for controlling the body

temperature?

(a) Liver

(b) Lung

(c) Hypothalamus

(d) Spinal cord

Ans: (c) Hypothalamus

6. Which of the following is absent in a neuron?

(a) Ribosome

(b) Centrosome

(c) Chromosome

(d) Lysosome

Ans: (b) Centrosome

7. The basic structural and functional unit of the brain is

(a) Nephron

(b) Nerve

(c) Spinal cord

(d) Neuron

Ans: (d) Neuron

B. Very Short Answer Type

1. Name the following:
(a) The fluid that is present inside and outside the brain.

Ans: Cerebrospinal fluid.

(b) The junction between two nerve cells.

Ans: Synapse

(c) The part of the brain which is concerned with memory.

Ans: Cerebrum

(d) The central space of the brain.

Ans: Ventricle

2. Note the relationship between the first two words and suggest the
suitable word/words for the fourth place.

(a) Stimulus : Receptor :: Impulse : _________

Ans: (a) Stimulus : Receptor :: Impulse : Effector

(b) Cerebrum : Diencephalon :: Cerebellum : _________

Ans: (b) Cerebrum : Diencephalon :: Cerebellum : Medulla oblongata

(c) Receptor : Sensory nerve :: Motor nerve : _________

Ans: (c) Receptor : Sensory nerve :: Motor nerve : Effector

(d) Axons : Nerve :: Cytons : _________

Ans: (d) Axons : Nerve :: Cytons : Nerve cells

(e) Cerebrum : Corpus callosum :: Cerebellum : _________

Ans: (e) Cerebrum : Corpus callosum :: Cerebellum : Pons

3. Complete the following statements by choosing the correct

alternative from the choices given in brackets:

(a) The dorsal root ganglion of the spinal cord contains cell bodies of
(motor/ sensory/ intermediate) neurons.

Ans: Sensory is the correct answer here.

(b) Cerebellum is the part of the brain which is responsible for

(i) Conducting reflexes in the body

(ii) Maintaining posture and equilibrium

(iii) Controlling thinking, memory, and reasoning.

Ans: (b) Maintaining posture and equilibrium

C. Short Answer Type
1. Mention, wherein the human body are the following located and
state their main functions:

Ans:

(a) Corpus Callosum: The corpus callosum is located in the forebrain. It

helps in connecting the two cerebral hemispheres and also transfers
information from one hemisphere to another.

(b) Central Canal: The central canal is located in the center of the spinal
cord. It is present in a continuous form with the cavities of the brain. It is
filled with cerebrospinal fluid and acts as a shockproof cushion. Moreover,
it also helps in the exchange of materials with neurons.

2. State whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).

(a) The main component of the white matter of the brain is the
perikaryon. (T/F)

Ans: False

(b) The arachnoid layer fits closely inside the pia mater. (T/F)

Ans: False

(c) A double chain of ganglia, one on each side of the nerve cord
belongs to the spinal cord. (T/F)

Ans: True

(d) Dura mater is the outermost layer of the meninges. (T/F)

Ans: True
3. State whether the following are simple reflexes, conditioned
reflexes or neither of the two.

(i) Sneezing

(ii) Blushing

(iii) Contraction of eye pupil

(iv) Lifting up a book

(v) Knitting without looking

(vi) Sudden application of brakes of the cycle on sighting an obstacle

in front

Ans: The above answers are represented in the form of a table below:

Type of
Example
Reflex

(i) Sneezing Simple

(ii) Blushing Simple

(iii) Contraction of the eye pupil Simple

(iv) Lifting up a book Conditioned

(v) Knitting without looking Conditioned

(vi) Sudden application of brakes of the cycle on sighting an

Conditioned
obstacle in front

4. State the functions of the following:

(a) Association neuron

Ans: The association neuron helps in connecting neurons. The sensory

and motor neurons are also connected to each other with the help of
association neurons only.
(b) Myelin sheath

Ans: The myelin sheath helps in insulating the impulses. It also helps in
preventing the mixing of impulses to the adjacent axons.

(c) Medullary sheath

Ans: The medullary sheath helps in providing insulation and prevents the
mixing of impulses in the adjacent axons.

(d) Cerebrospinal fluid

Ans: The cerebrospinal fluid acts as a cushion and protects the brain from
shocks and external damage from the environment.

5. Rearrange the following in the correct sequence pertaining to what

is given within brackets at the end.

(a) Effector --- sensory neuron --- receptor --- motor neuron ---
stimulus --- central nervous system --- response (Reflex arc)

Ans: (a) Stimulus --- receptor --- sensory neuron --- central nervous system
--- motor neuron --- effector --- response

(b) Repolarization --- depolarization --- resting (polarized) (during

conduction of nerve impulse through a nerve fiber)

Ans: (b) Resting --- depolarization --- repolarization

(c) Axon endings --- nucleus --- dendrites --- axon ---perikaryon ---
dendron (neuron structure)

Ans: (c) Dendrites --- Dendron --- perikaryon --- nucleus --- axon --- axon
endings

(d) Diencephalon --- cerebellum --- medulla oblongata --- pons ---
cerebrum --- midbrain (sequence of parts of human brain)

Ans: (d) Cerebrum --- diencephalon --- mid-brain --- cerebellum --- pons ---
medulla oblongata
6. Name the following:

(a) Three types of neurons

Ans: (a) Three types of neurons:

1. Sensory neurons

2. Motor neurons

3. Association neurons

(b) Three types of nerves

Ans: (b) Three types of nerves:

1. Sensory nerves

2. Motor nerves

3. Mixed nerves

(c) Three main parts of the neuron

Ans: (c) Three main parts of the neuron:

1. Cyton

2. Dendrites

3. Axon

(d) Two major divisions of the nervous system

Ans: (d) Two major divisions of the nervous system:

1. Central nervous system

2. Peripheral nervous system

(e) Three layers of the meninges

Ans: (e) Three layers of the meninges:

1. Dura mater

2. Arachnoid

3. Pia mater
(f) Three main parts of the brain

Ans: (f) Three main parts of the brain:

1. Cerebrum

2. Cerebellum

3. Medulla oblongata

(g) Two parts of the autonomic nervous system

Ans: (g) Two parts of the autonomic nervous system:

1. Sympathetic nervous system

2. Parasympathetic nervous system

(h) Two types of reflexes

Ans: (h) Two types of reflexes:

1. Natural (inborn) reflex

2. Conditioned (acquired) reflex

7. Write the full forms of the following abbreviations:

(a) CSF

Ans: (a) CSF: Cerebrospinal fluid

(b) CNS

Ans: (b) CNS: Central Nervous System

(c) PNS

Ans: (c) PNS: Peripheral Nervous System

(d) ANS

Ans: (d) ANS: Autonomic Nervous System

D. Descriptive type
1. Define the following terms:
(a) Neuron

Ans: Neurons are the structural and fundamental units of the nervous
system. They are specialized to transmit information in the form of
electrical impulses to different parts of the body.

(b) Nerve

Ans: The nerves are made up of nerve fibers (axons) of separate neurons,
enclosed in a tubular sheath.

(c) Stimulus

Ans: An agent or the sudden change of the external or internal

environment that results in a change in an organism or any of its body
parts is called a stimulus.

(d) Synaptic cleft

Ans: The gaps between the axon terminals and the dendrites of another
one or more neurons are called synaptic clefts.

(e) Reflex action

Ans: Reflex action is an automatic or quick or immediate involuntary

action in the body brought about by a stimulus.

(f) Corpus callosum

Ans: Corpus callosum is a sheet of fibers connecting the two cerebral

hemispheres.

2. Distinguish between the following pairs:

(a) Cerebrum and cerebellum (function)

Ans: (a) Differences between cerebrum and cerebellum (function):

Cerebrum Cerebellum
The cerebrum controls all The cerebellum on the other hand
voluntary actions. It enables us to maintains the balance of the body
think, reason, plan and memorize. and coordinates muscular activity.
(b) Sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous
system (location and role)
Ans: Differences between the sympathetic nervous system and
parasympathetic nervous system (location and role):

Sympathetic Nervous System Parasympathetic Nervous System

The sympathetic nervous
system is located between the
neck and the waist region.
It prepares the body for violent
action against the abnormal
condition.
The parasympathetic nervous system is
located in the head and neck region and
in the sacral region.
It is concerned with re-establishing
normal conditions after the violent act is
over.

(c) Sensory nerve and motor nerve (direction of impulse carried)

Ans: Differences between sensory nerve and motor nerve (direction of
impulse carried):

Sensory Nerve Motor Nerve

The sensory nerve brings impulses The motor nerve carries impulse
from the receptors i.e. sense from the brain or spinal cord to
organs to the brain or spinal cord. effector organs such as muscles or
glands.

(d) Cerebrum and spinal cord (arrangement of cytons and axons of

neurons)
Ans: Differences between the cerebrum and spinal cord (arrangement of
cytons and axons of neurons):

Cerebrum Spinal Cord

The grey matter containing cytons
lies in the cortex (outer region)
while the white matter containing
axons lies in the medullary region
(inner region).
The grey matter containing cytons
lies in the medullary region i.e. inner
side while the white matter
containing axons lies in the cortex
i.e. the outer region.

(e) Cranial nerves and spinal nerves (number in pairs)

Ans: Differences between cranial nerves and spinal nerves (number in
pairs):

Cranial Nerves Spinal Nerves

There are 12 pairs of cranial There are 31 pairs of spinal
nerves. nerves.

(f) Nerve impulse and flow of electricity (transmission and speed)

Ans: Differences between nerve impulse and flow of electricity
(transmission and speed):

Nerve impulse Flow of electricity

Here, neither any substance nor any
electrons or ions move along the nerve
fibre.
Nerve impulses travel at a speed of
about 100 meters per second.
Here, electrons actually move
along the wire.
Electricity is conducted at a
speed of about 150,000 km per
second.

(g) Medulla oblongata and cerebellum (function)

Ans: Differences between medulla oblongata and cerebellum (function):

Medulla Oblongata Cerebellum

Medulla oblongata controls the The cerebellum maintains
activities of internal organs and many balance of the body and
other involuntary actions coordinates muscular activity.

3. During a street fight between two individuals, mention the effects

on the following organs by the autonomous nervous system, in the
table given below: (one has been done for you as an example).

Organ Sympathetic System Parasympathetic System

e.g. Lungs Dilates bronchi and Constricts bronchi and
bronchioles bronchioles

1. Heart

2. Pupil of the
eye

3. Salivary
gland

Ans:
 Organ Sympathetic System Parasympathetic
System
e.g. Lungs Dilates bronchi and bronchioles Constricts bronchi and
bronchioles
1. Heart Accelerates heartbeat Retards heartbeat
2. Pupil of Dilates Constricts
the eye
3. Salivary Inhibits the secretion of saliva Stimulates the release
gland causing the drying of the mouth of saliva

4. Give reason:
(a) The brain and the spinal cord are referred to as the central
nervous system.

Ans: (a) The brain and the spinal cord lie in the skull and the vertebral
column respectively. They have an important role to play because all
bodily activities are controlled by them. A stimulus from any part of the
body is always carried to the brain or spinal cord for the correct response.
A response to a stimulus is also generated in the central nervous system.
Therefore, the brain and the spinal cord are called the central nervous
system.

(b) Neurotransmitters are broken down by an enzyme just after

passing an impulse from one neuron to the other.

Ans: (b) Neurotransmitters are broken down by an enzyme just after

passing an impulse from one neuron to the other to make the synapse
ready for the next transmission of the impulse.

5. What are the advantages of having a nervous system?

Ans: The advantages of having a nervous system are as follows:

(a) Keeps us informed about the outside world through sense organs.

(b) Enables us to remember, think and reason out.

(c) Controls and harmonizes all voluntary muscular activities such as

running, holding, writing
(d) Regulates involuntary activities such as breathing, beating of the heart
without our thinking about them.

6. Draw a labelled diagram of a myelinated neuron.

Ans:

7. What is the difference between a reflex action and voluntary

action?

Ans: Reflex actions are involuntary actions that occur unknowingly.

Voluntary actions on the other hand are performed consciously.

Picking up an apple and eating it is an example of voluntary action

whereas withdrawal of hand on touching a hot object is an example of
reflex action.

Reflex Action Voluntary Action

Reflex actions are involuntary actions that
occur unknowingly.
Commands originate in the spinal cord,
autonomic nervous system, and a few in
the brain as well.
Voluntary actions on the
other hand are performed
consciously.
Commands originate in the
brain.

E. Structure/application/skill type questions

1. Two hungry boys (A and B) enter a restaurant and see the menu.
Boy B starts salivating but not A. Explain the reason for this
difference.

Ans: Salivation is an example of a conditioned reflex that develops due to

experience or learning. Saliva starts pouring when you chew or eat food.
Therefore, this reflex will occur not just on the sight or smell of food. The
brain actually needs to remember the taste of food. Boy B started
salivating because he must have tasted that food prior unlike boy A.

2. The diagram alongside shows a section of the human brain and its
associated parts. Answer the questions that follow:

(a) Name the parts labelled 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Ans: (a) 1 - Cerebrum, 2 - Cerebellum, 3 - Pons, 4 - Medulla oblongata.

(b) Name the protective membranous covering of the brain. Also,

mention its three layers.

Ans: (b) Meninges. The three layers of meninges are the dura mater,
arachnoid and pia mater.

(c) Name the basic unit of the brain.

Ans: (c) Neuron/nerve cell.

(d) Write the important role of the part mentioned as 2.

Ans: (d) Cerebellum (part 2) coordinates a muscular activity and balance of
the body.

3. Given below are a few situations. What effective change will occur
in the organ/body part mentioned and which part (sympathetic or
parasympathetic) of the autonomic nervous system brings it about?

Situation Organ/ Change/ Part of the

body part action autonomic
nervous system
involved
1. You have entered a Eye
dark room
2. Your body is Liver
consuming a lot of
glucose while running
a race
3. You are chewing a Salivary
tasty food gland
4. You are running a Adrenal
race gland
5. You are retiring to Heart
bed for sleep
6. You are shivering in Body hairs
intense cold
Ans:

Situation Organ/ Change/action Part of the

body part autonomic
nervous system
involved
1. You have Eye Pupil dilates Sympathetic
entered a dark
room
2. Your body is Liver Glycogen is Sympathetic
consuming a lot converted into
of glucose while glucose in liver
running a race
3. You are Salivary Salivation Parasympathetic
chewing a tasty gland increases
food
4. You are Adrenal Release of Sympathetic
running a race gland adrenaline and
noradrenaline
increases
5. You are retiring Heart Heart rate slows Parasympathetic
to bed for sleep down
6. You are Body hairs Hair raised Sympathetic
shivering in
intense cold

4. Given below is the partially incomplete scheme of the components

of the peripheral nervous system. Fill up the blanks numbered (1) -
(12).

Ans:

1 - Central Nervous System

2 - Autonomic

3 - 12

4 - spinal
5 - 31

6 - neck

7 - waist

8 - dilates

9 - constricts

10 - liver

11 - neck

12 - sacrum