Neural Control and Coordination (Class XI, Unit V) is one of the most consistently asked chapters in NEET Biology — historically 2 to 3 questions, with another 1–2 from cross-linked topics in Chemical Coordination and Reflex Arc. For the 21 June re-examination, this is exactly the kind of chapter where T-36 sharpening pays off: dense diagrams, clean factual recall, very low ambiguity.
This post is a self-contained drill: 30 MCQs covering neuron structure, action potential, synaptic transmission, CNS anatomy, reflex action, and sensory pathways. Answer key with explanations is at the end. Time yourself — target is 30 minutes flat. NCERT references (Class XI Chapter 21) at the close.
Quick Concept Anchors (5-Minute Read)
Resting Membrane Potential
Approximately −70 mV, maintained by the sodium-potassium pump (3 Na⁺ out, 2 K⁺ in) and the differential permeability of the membrane (more permeable to K⁺ than Na⁺ at rest). The axoplasm is negative; the outside is positive. This is the polarised state.
Action Potential
Stimulus opens Na⁺ channels → Na⁺ rushes in → membrane depolarises to about +30 mV → Na⁺ channels close, K⁺ channels open → K⁺ rushes out → repolarisation → brief hyperpolarisation → Na⁺/K⁺ pump restores resting state. Total event: 1–2 milliseconds.
Synaptic Transmission
Two types — electrical synapse (direct flow of current, very fast, rare in humans) and chemical synapse (neurotransmitter-mediated, unidirectional, with synaptic delay). Acetylcholine is the most commonly cited neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction.
CNS Map (Memorise the Diagram)
Forebrain — cerebrum, thalamus, hypothalamus. Midbrain — corpora quadrigemina. Hindbrain — pons, cerebellum, medulla oblongata. The corpus callosum connects the two cerebral hemispheres. Meninges from outside in: dura mater, arachnoid, pia mater.
The 30 MCQs
| # | Question |
|---|---|
| 1 | The resting membrane potential of a typical neuron is approximately: (a) −30 mV (b) −70 mV (c) +30 mV (d) 0 mV |
| 2 | During depolarisation, the predominant ion movement is: (a) K⁺ out (b) Na⁺ in (c) Cl⁻ in (d) Ca²⁺ out |
| 3 | The sodium-potassium pump moves: (a) 2 Na⁺ out, 3 K⁺ in (b) 3 Na⁺ in, 2 K⁺ out (c) 3 Na⁺ out, 2 K⁺ in (d) 2 Na⁺ in, 3 K⁺ out |
| 4 | Nodes of Ranvier are found on: (a) Dendrites (b) Cell body (c) Myelinated axons (d) Synaptic knobs |
| 5 | Saltatory conduction occurs in: (a) Non-myelinated fibres only (b) Myelinated fibres (c) Cell bodies (d) Dendrites |
| 6 | The most common neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction is: (a) Dopamine (b) Serotonin (c) Acetylcholine (d) GABA |
| 7 | Synaptic vesicles are found in the: (a) Post-synaptic membrane (b) Synaptic cleft (c) Pre-synaptic knob (d) Axon hillock |
| 8 | Which is NOT part of the forebrain? (a) Cerebrum (b) Thalamus (c) Hypothalamus (d) Cerebellum |
| 9 | The two cerebral hemispheres are connected by: (a) Corpus callosum (b) Corpus luteum (c) Pons (d) Medulla |
| 10 | Centre for hunger, thirst, and body temperature regulation: (a) Cerebellum (b) Hypothalamus (c) Medulla (d) Pons |
| 11 | The cranial nerves in humans number: (a) 10 pairs (b) 12 pairs (c) 31 pairs (d) 24 pairs |
| 12 | Spinal nerves in humans: (a) 12 pairs (b) 24 pairs (c) 31 pairs (d) 33 pairs |
| 13 | The outermost meninx is: (a) Pia mater (b) Arachnoid (c) Dura mater (d) Choroid |
| 14 | Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in: (a) Ventricles of brain (b) Spinal canal (c) Subarachnoid space (d) Pituitary |
| 15 | The reflex arc in humans is mediated through: (a) Cerebrum (b) Cerebellum (c) Spinal cord (d) Hypothalamus |
| 16 | A simple knee-jerk reflex is: (a) Polysynaptic (b) Monosynaptic (c) Conditioned (d) Voluntary |
| 17 | Grey matter contains: (a) Myelinated axons only (b) Cell bodies and dendrites (c) Schwann cells only (d) Blood vessels only |
| 18 | The blind spot of the eye is at the: (a) Fovea (b) Optic disc (c) Macula lutea (d) Iris |
| 19 | Rods contain the pigment: (a) Iodopsin (b) Rhodopsin (c) Melanin (d) Cyanopsin |
| 20 | The auditory area of the cerebrum is located in the: (a) Frontal lobe (b) Parietal lobe (c) Temporal lobe (d) Occipital lobe |
| 21 | Organ of Corti is located in: (a) Cochlea (b) Vestibule (c) Semicircular canal (d) Eustachian tube |
| 22 | The cerebellum is responsible for: (a) Memory (b) Vision (c) Balance and coordination (d) Speech |
| 23 | The pons connects: (a) Two cerebral hemispheres (b) Spinal cord to brain (c) Two halves of cerebellum (d) Thalamus to hypothalamus |
| 24 | Wernicke’s area governs: (a) Motor speech (b) Language comprehension (c) Vision (d) Hearing |
| 25 | Schwann cells produce myelin in: (a) CNS (b) PNS (c) Both (d) Neither |
| 26 | Oligodendrocytes produce myelin in: (a) CNS (b) PNS (c) Muscle (d) Bone |
| 27 | Refractory period of a neuron means: (a) Cannot fire again immediately (b) Fires continuously (c) Fires randomly (d) Receives no stimulus |
| 28 | The “all-or-none” law applies to: (a) Graded potentials (b) Action potentials (c) Synaptic potentials (d) Receptor potentials |
| 29 | The neurotransmitter primarily inhibitory in the CNS is: (a) Acetylcholine (b) Glutamate (c) GABA (d) Norepinephrine |
| 30 | The white matter of the spinal cord is on the: (a) Inside (b) Outside (c) Anterior only (d) Posterior only |
Answer Key with Explanations
| Q | Ans | Quick Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | b | −70 mV. Standard neuron resting potential. |
| 2 | b | Na⁺ influx drives the rising phase of action potential. |
| 3 | c | 3 Na⁺ out, 2 K⁺ in. Net negative charge inside maintained. |
| 4 | c | Gaps in myelin sheath along axon. |
| 5 | b | Impulse jumps node to node — faster conduction. |
| 6 | c | Acetylcholine — NMJ neurotransmitter. |
| 7 | c | Pre-synaptic knob houses vesicles with neurotransmitter. |
| 8 | d | Cerebellum is hindbrain. |
| 9 | a | Corpus callosum — broad band of white matter. |
| 10 | b | Hypothalamus — homeostatic control centre. |
| 11 | b | 12 pairs of cranial nerves. |
| 12 | c | 31 pairs of spinal nerves. |
| 13 | c | Dura — pia — arachnoid; outermost is dura. |
| 14 | a | CSF produced by choroid plexus in ventricles. |
| 15 | c | Reflex arc — spinal cord level, no cerebrum. |
| 16 | b | Knee-jerk = one synapse only. |
| 17 | b | Grey matter = cell bodies + dendrites + non-myelinated. |
| 18 | b | Optic disc — no photoreceptors there. |
| 19 | b | Rhodopsin in rods; iodopsin in cones. |
| 20 | c | Temporal lobe houses auditory cortex. |
| 21 | a | Organ of Corti — auditory receptor in cochlea. |
| 22 | c | Cerebellum — balance, posture, coordination. |
| 23 | c | Pons bridges two cerebellar halves. |
| 24 | b | Wernicke’s = comprehension; Broca’s = motor speech. |
| 25 | b | Schwann in PNS only. |
| 26 | a | Oligodendrocytes — myelinate CNS axons. |
| 27 | a | Brief period after AP where neuron cannot fire. |
| 28 | b | AP fires fully or not at all. |
| 29 | c | GABA — main inhibitory neurotransmitter in CNS. |
| 30 | b | White matter peripheral, grey matter central in spinal cord (opposite of brain). |
How to Use This Drill
- First pass: 30 minutes, no NCERT, no notes. Score honestly.
- Second pass: for every wrong answer, open NCERT Class XI Chapter 21, find the exact line. Mark it in your error log.
- Third pass: after 4 days, redo the full 30 from scratch. Target ≥ 28/30.
Common Traps in This Chapter
- White vs grey matter inversion in spinal cord vs brain. Spinal cord — white outside, grey inside. Brain — grey outside, white inside.
- Schwann vs oligodendrocyte. Schwann = PNS, one cell one segment. Oligodendrocyte = CNS, one cell many segments.
- Broca’s vs Wernicke’s. Broca’s is motor (speech production). Wernicke’s is sensory (language comprehension).
- Rods vs cones pigments. Rods = rhodopsin (dim light, B&W). Cones = iodopsin (bright light, colour).
NCERT Anchors
Class XI, Chapter 21 — every line. Pay special attention to Figure 21.2 (neuron structure), Figure 21.3 (action potential graph), Figure 21.4 (synapse), and Figure 21.5 (human brain). NEET historically picks 1–2 questions directly from these diagrams every year.
Where This Fits in Your 36-Day Plan
Treat this chapter as one anchor day in your Phase 1 schedule. Combined with Chemical Coordination (Chapter 22) the next day, you cover the full coordination unit in 48 hours — clean, NCERT-locked, and high yield.
For our full re-prep cohort — daily NCERT anchor papers, alternate-day full mocks, error-log mentor support, and a tight 36-day calendar — head to neetgurukul.com or call 7033005444. Cohort intake closes 22 May 2026.
Stay structured. Stay calm. The 21st of June is closer than it feels.
— Team NEET Gurukul