Selina Chapter 6 Nervous System Questions Answers Class 7 Biology

ICSE Solutions for Chapter 6 Nervous System Class 7 Biology Selina Publisher

Review Questions

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Put a tick mark (✓) against the correct alternative in the following statements:

(a) Medulla oblongata controls
(i) Smelling
(ii) Beating of heart and respiratory movement
(iii) Intelligence and will power
(iv) Balancing the body

Answer

(ii) Beating of heart and respiratory movement

(b) Spinal cord is an extention of:
(i) Cerebellum
(ii) Cerebrum
(iii) Vertebral column
(iv) Medulla oblongata

Answer

(iv) Medulla oblongata

(c) Body posture is mantained by:
(i) Cerebellum
(ii) Cerebrum
(iii) Medulla oblongata
(iv) Spinal cord

Answer

(ii) Cerebrum

Short Answer Questions:

1. Write one word in the space provided to complete the second pair of the related words pertaining to nervous system.
Memory: cerebrum:: breathing:
Balance: cerebellum:: reasoning:
Answer
Memory: cerebrum: beathing: medulla oblongata
Balance: cerebellum:: reasoning: cerebrum

2. (a) Name three major divisions of the human nervous system.
Answer

1. The central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
2. The peripheral nervous system
3. The autonomic nervous system

(b) Name the three main parts of human brain.
Answer

1. Cerebrum
2. Cerebellum
3. Medulla oblongata

3. Given here is the diagram of a neuron. Name the parts numbered 1-6.

Answer

1. Dendrite
2. Dendrite (Terminal Arborization)
3. Nucleus
4. Axon (Nerve fibre)
5. Cell Body (cyton)
6. Node of ranvier
7. Sheath

Long answer questions

1. With the help of a suitable diagram describe the structure of a neuron.
Answer

Nervous system consists of special cells called nerve cells or neurons. It has a main cell body called cyton. It gives out many processes called dendrites. From it a very long process is given out. It is called axon or nerve fibre.

The cell body has a nucleus. The dendrites get the message from the organs and send this message to the axon through the cell body. Then the axon sends the message to muscles to contrast or to the gland for secretion.
The neurons make contact with one another through their processes. The axon at its end branches and meets the dendrites of another neuron. The meeting point is called synapse. The message is passed on from one axon to the dendrites of another neuron.
How the message goes? It is like this:
Organ → Message goes to dendrites → Cell body → Axon → Muscles or glands

2. Briefly describe the structure of the cerebrum in human brain, and mention its functions.
Answer

Brain consists of main three parts and lies in the cranial cavity of skull.

1. The cerebrum
2. The cerebellum
3. The medulla oblongata

Cerebrum- It is very large and form two third of the whole brain. The two hemispheres are separated from each other by a deep longitudinal groove, the median fissure. The outer surface is folded with ridges and grooves. The hemispheres are hollow from inside and their walls have outer and inner portions. The outer portion has cell bodies of the neurons and it is called grey matter.
The wavery edges of the folded layer has large number of neurons to the extent of nine billion. The inner portion of the cerebrum has axons and it is called white matter.
Functions:

1. It controls all the voluntary activities.
2. It is the seat of intelligence, consciousness and will power.

3. Mention the three functions of spinal cord.
Answer
Spinal cord has the following functions.

1. It is the centre of reflex actions below the neck.
2. It carries messages from the skin and muscles to the brain.
3. All the stimuli and responses are passed from and to the brain through the spinal cord.

4. Describe three kinds of nerves, giving example of each.
Answer
A nerve is formed by a group of nerve fibres (axons) encased by tubular medullary sheath. The medullary sheath acts as insulation and do not allow mixing up of impulses of the neighbouring axons (nerve fibres) We have three kinds of nerves:

1. Sensory nerves - It brings impulses from sense organs as these have sensory fibres. These nerve carry the impulses from the sense organs to the brain or to the spinal cord as optic nerve of the eye.
2. Motor nerves - These carry impulses to muscles or glands from the brain or spinal cord. These nerves have only motor fibres as nerves to the muscles of the eye ball.
3. Mixed nerve - It has both sensory and motors fibres as nerve going to the tongue.

5. What are voluntary and involuntary actions? Which part of the nervous system controls them ?
Answer
Voluntary action: When an action is produced with the involvement of thoughts, they are called the voluntary action. For example, writing an article jumping from heights. These actions are produced consciously by our body.
Involuntary action: Actions which take place without consciousness or willingness of an individual are called the involuntary action. Digestion, heart beating, sneezing, etc are few examples of involuntary actions.

1. The cerebral cortex controls our voluntary actions like running and walking etc.
2. Medulla helps in involuntary actions like hearbeat, breathing etc.

Additional Questions

I. Multiple choice questions. Tick (✓) the correct choice:

I. Nervous system in humans consists of
(a) brain and nerves
(b) brain and spinal cord
(c) brain, spinal cord and nerves
(d) none of the above.

Answer

(c) brain, spinal cord and nerves

II. Fill in the blanks:

1. Basic structural unit of the nervous system is the ______.
2. Central nervous system consists of ______ and _______.
3. A neuron consists of ______, ______ and ______.
4. The neurons carrying impulses from the brain to the muscles are called _______.
5. Peripheral nervous system consists of _______.
6. The three main parts of the brain are ______, _______ and _______.

Answer

1. Basic structural unit of the nervous system is the neuron.
2. Central nervous system consists of brain and spinal cord.
3. A neuron consists of cell body, dendrite and axon.
4. The neurons carrying impulses from the brain to the muscles are called motor or efferent neurons.
5. Peripheral nervous system consists of nerves.
6. The three main parts of the brain are cerebrum, cerebellum and medulla oblongata (brain stem).

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

1. Each neuron consists of three parts called cell body, cyton and axon.
False. 

Each neuron consists of three parts called cell body, dendrite and axon.

2. The largest part of the brain is the cerebrum.
True.

3. Cerebellum maintains balance of the body.
True.

4. There are 31 pairs of cranial nerves.
False. 

There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves.

IV. Find the odd-one out, giving reasons:
Axon, cell body, dendrite, cerebellum
Answer

Cerebellum is the odd one out as it is a part of brain while rest three are parts of a neuron.

V. Define the following:

1. Reflex arc
2. Sensory neuron
3. Motor neuron
4. Neuron

Answer

1. Reflex arc: The path that an impulse takes in a reflex action is called a reflex arc.
2. Sensory neuron: The neurons which carry impulses from the body parts to the spinal cord or the brain are called sensory or afferent neurons. For example, optic nerve of the eye.
3. Motor neuron: The neurons which carry impulses from the brain or spinal cord to the body parts are called motor or efferent neurons.
4. Neuron: A neuron or a nerve cell is the basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system.

VI. Answer the following:

1. Describe the two parts of the nervous system.
Answer
The nervous system of human has two parts:

1. Central Nervous System (CNS): It consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain lies protected inside the skull while the spinal cord is protected within the vertebral column.
2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): It consists of nerves arising from the spinal cord (spinal nerves) and the brain (cranial nerves). These nerves link the central nervous system with the various body organs.

2. What are nerves? Mention the types of nerves found in humans.
Answer
A bundle of nerve fibres joined together as a tubular sheath that transmits impulses between brain or spinal cord and other body parts is called a nerve. The nerves constitute the peripheral nervous system.

Nerves are of two types in humans:

1. Cranial nerves: They emerge from the brain. There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves.
2. Spinal nerves: They emerge from the spinal cord. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

3. Explain the structure of brain.
Answer
The brain is the main control centre of the nervous system.
It is enclosed within the bony shell of cranium.

It consists of three main part:

1. Cerebrum: It is the uppermost and largest part with many ridges and grooves. It is divided into right and left halves called cerebral hemispheres. It controls our thinking, reasoning, intelligence, memory and perception of pain, sound, touch, taste and smell.
2. Cerebellum: It is located under the cerebrum at the back of the head. It maintains balance of the body and coordinates muscular activity.
3. Brain stem (medulla oblongata): It joins the brain to the spinal cord. It controls the activity of internal organs like heartbeat and breathing.

4. Compare the nervous system and the endocrine system.

Answer

Nervous system	Endocrine system
1. Messages are sent through nerve fibres.	1. Messages are sent through blood in the form of hormones.
2. It consists of brain, spinal cord and nerves.	2. It consists of endocrine glands.
3. No hormones are secreted. Messages are sent as impulses.	3. Hormones secreted by glands regulate the body activities.
4. Transmission of impulse is quick.	4. Transmission takes time.