Test: The Functions of Brain & Spinal Cord - NEET MCQ

The cerebrum is the largest part of the forebrain. It is responsible for the integration of complex sensory and neural functions and the initiation and coordination of voluntary activity in the body. It has specific functional lobe which is controls speech, generates several responses to different stimulus. 
So, the correct answer is option B.

• Medulla oblongata, also called medulla, is the lowest part of the brain and the lowest portion of the brainstem.
• The medulla oblongata plays a critical role in transmitting signals between the spinal cord and the higher parts of the brain.
• Medulla contains cardiovascular reflexes, gastric secretions and the centres that control respiration.

The location of the midbrain is between the pons of the hindbrain and the thalamus of the forebrain. Its ventral areas are dedicated to motor function while the dorsal regions are involved in sensory information circuits.

There is 12 pair of Carnial nerves.Cranial nerves are the nerves that emerge directly from the brain (including the brainstem) and in contrast to spinal nerves (which emerge from segments of the spinal cord). Cranial nerves relay information between the brain and parts of the body, primarily to and from regions of the head and neck.The first two nerves (olfactory and optic) arise from the cerebrum, whereas the remaining ten emerge from the brain stem.

Respiration is controlled by the respiratory centers located in the medulla oblongata. It receives the signal and generates the rhythmic nerve impulse which stimulates the movement of the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles.

The part of the brain that regulates body temperature, hunger, and water balance is the Hypothalamus. Here's why:

- Hypothalamus:
- Regulates body temperature by triggering mechanisms like sweating or shivering.
- Controls hunger by responding to hunger hormones and signals.
- Manages water balance by regulating thirst and controlling the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

In summary, the hypothalamus plays a crucial role in maintaining internal balance (homeostasis) within the body, ensuring optimal functioning.

The nervous system is made up of a central nervous system which  includes the brain and the spinal cord and a peripheral nervous system consisting  of a network of neurons. The neurons that receive information from the sensory organs and transmit this  to the central nervous system are called afferent neurons while neurons that send impulses from the central nervous system to the organs are called efferent neurons. The cell bodies of the afferent neurons are located in the dorsal root ganglia. So, the correct answer is option C.

Reflex action is an inborn central nervous system activity, not involving consciousness, in which a particular stimulus, by exciting an afferent nerve, produces a stereotyped, immediate response of muscle or gland. It is an involuntary and nearly instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus.

• The membrane is permeable to K⁺ at rest because many channels are open.
• In a normal cell, Na⁺ permeability is about 5% of the K⁺ permeability or even less.
• This implies that the permeability of the plasma membrane for K⁺ ions is greater than its permeability for Na⁺ ions.

Synaptic vesicles of the synaptic knob secrete the neurotransmitter (e.g. adrenaline).
Myelinated nerve fibres are enveloped with Schwann cells, which form a myelin sheath around the axon.
Non-myelinated nerve fibres are also enclosed by a Schwann cell, but that does not form a myelin sheath.
Spinal cord and cranial nerves are made of myelinated nerve fibres.

The iris is a thin, circular structure in the eye that is responsible for controlling the diameter and size of the pupil. The colour of the eye is due to it.

The correct answer is B: Post-synaptic membrane.

- Neurotransmitter receptor sites are typically located on the post-synaptic membrane.
- Post-synaptic membrane refers to the membrane on the receiving end of a synapse.
- When a neurotransmitter binds to its specific receptor on the post-synaptic membrane, it triggers a series of events that can lead to either excitation or inhibition of the receiving neuron.
- This process is fundamental to the transmission of signals between neurons in the nervous system.

To find the correct sequence of a simple reflex arc:

- Receptor detects a stimulus.
- Sensory nerves carry the signal to the Central Nervous System (CNS).
- The CNS processes the information, typically involving the spinal cord and sometimes the brain.
- An impulse is sent out through motor nerves to the effector (muscle or gland) for a response.

The correct sequence is:
- Receptor → Sensory nerves → CNS (spinal cord and sometimes brain) → Effector

Therefore, the correct answer is D: Receptor - sensory nerves - CNS - effector.

Afferent neurons carry nerve impulses from receptors to the CNS.

- Afferent neurons transmit sensory information from receptors to the central nervous system.
- Receptors detect stimuli like touch, temperature, and pain.
- This sensory information is then conveyed to the brain and spinal cord for processing and integration.
- Afferent neurons play a crucial role in our ability to perceive and respond to the environment accurately.

The foramen magnum is a large opening in the occipital bone of the human skull. It is one of the several oval or circular openings in the base of the skull (called as foramina). The spinal cord, an extension of the medulla, passes through the foramen magnum.

Involuntary actions are those action that controlled by medulla oblongata which is a part of the autonomous nervous system where as voluntary actions are controlled by the cerebellum. The medulla oblongata directly controls heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing and digestion. It is located in the hindbrain, anterior to the cerebellum. It is a cone-shaped and contains the cardiac, respiratory, vomiting and vasomotor centers. Hence, the correct answer is option C.

The cerebellum is located down to the occipital lobe of the cerebrum. The cerebellum is the vital part of the brain that controls the motor movements of the body. Its functions include coordinated movement, balance, posture, speech, etc. Thus his movement and speech becomes unbalanced and uncontrolled. Thus, the correct answer is option B.

The grey matter, in the center of the cord, is shaped like a butterfly and consists of cell bodies of interneurons and motor neurons, as well as neuroglia cells and unmyelinated axons. Projections of the grey matter (the “wings”) are called horns.

1. Frontal lobe - Frontal lobe is located just behind the skull of the forehead, and it governs our ability to reason, make judgements, organise information and control some motor/muscle functions.

2. Parietal lobe - Parietal lobe is near the back and top of the head. It’s involved with visual attention, sensation (touch and pressure) and integration of senses.

3. Occipital lobe - Occipital lobe is located at the back of the skull and controls vision.

4. Temporal lobes - Temporal lobes are located on each side of the head above the ears. They control hearing and are related to smell, taste and short-term memory (especially visual and verbal).

Thus, the correct answer is option C.

The medulla oblongata is the part of the brainstem, that is situated between the pons and the spinal cord.
The medulla contains the cardiac, respiratory, vomiting and vasomotor centers and therefore deals with the autonomic (involuntary) functions of breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. 
Thus compression of the medulla oblongata will lead to instant death.
So, option A is correct here.

The cerebellum controls the timing and pattern of the muscle activation during movement. The main function of the cerebellum receives information from the sensory system, the spinal cord, and other parts of the brain and then regulates motor movements. The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movements such as posture, balance, coordination, and speech, resulting in smooth and balanced muscular activity.
So, the correct option is 'thinking'.

Hypothalamus of the brain controls emotions like love, anger and pleasure.
Emotion involves two parts of the nervous system - the limbic system and the autonomic nervous system. The limbic system is a complex set of structures that lies on both sides of the thalamus, just under the cerebrum. It includes the hypothalamus, the hippocampus, the amygdala. The hypothalamus feeds information into the amygdala. The hypothalamus acts as a regulator of emotion, controlling levels of sexual desire, pleasure, aggression and anger.

The autonomic nervous system is regulated by the hypothalamus and the brain stem, overseeing functions such as respiration rate, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and sweating. Voluntary muscle activity is governed by the motor cortex in the cerebrum, while the cerebellum coordinates these voluntary movements. The medulla oblongata, a part of the brain stem, controls involuntary activities like respiration and blood pressure. Sensations from the skin to the thalamus travel through the spinothalamic pathway.

Medulla oblongata is responsible to regulate respiration, heartbeat rates, vomiting reflex while body balance and movement is controlled by cerebellum.

Cerebrum controls reading, thinking, learning, speech, emotions and planned muscle movements like walking. So, it is a seat of intelligence.
The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movements such as posture, balance, coordination, and speech, resulting in smooth and balanced muscular activity.
Hypothalamus secretes hormones which control the secretions of pituitary gland.
Midbrain or mesencephalon is associated with motor control, vision, hearing, temperature regulation, alertness.

The part of the brain that controls body temperature and the urge to eat is the Hypothalamus.

- The Hypothalamus acts as the body's thermostat, helping to regulate temperature.
- It also plays a crucial role in regulating hunger and satiety, influencing our urge to eat.
- Through various signals and feedback mechanisms, the hypothalamus helps maintain homeostasis in the body, ensuring essential functions like temperature and hunger remain balanced.

Afferent nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system are responsible for transmitting impulses from tissues and organs to the central nervous system. These nerve fibers play a crucial role in carrying sensory information such as touch, pain, temperature, and proprioception from the periphery to the brain and spinal cord for processing. This process is essential for the body to respond to various stimuli in the environment and maintain homeostasis.

The two main types of synapses that transmit nerve impulses between neurons are chemical synapses and electrical synapses. Chemical synapses involve the release of neurotransmitters across a synaptic cleft, while electrical synapses allow for direct flow of electrical current between neurons. While chemical synapses are more common, electrical synapses play a vital role in rapid signal transmission in certain neural circuits, ensuring swift communication between neurons.