Nervous System

Solutions for Biology, Class 8, ICSE

Assertion Reason Type Questions

5 questions

Question 2(a)

Assertion (A): Synapse is the junction between two neurons which communicates impulses/ messages.

Reason (R): Neurons must be connected with each other through some means in order to transmit the unidirectional flow of impulses.

  1. Both A and R are true.
  2. Both A and R are false.
  3. A is true and R is false.
  4. A is false and R is true.
Assertion Reason Type Questions

Answer:

Both A and R are true.

Explanation — At synapse, the message is transmitted from the axon of one neuron to the dendrites of the next neuron. Messages relayed in this manner from one neuron to the next allow the unidirectional flow of impulses.

Question 2(b)

Assertion (A): Cerebellum enables us to remember, think and reason.

Reason (R): It is the largest portion of the brain and occupies the whole central area.

  1. Both A and R are true.
  2. Both A and R are false.
  3. A is true and R is false.
  4. A is false and R is true.
Assertion Reason Type Questions

Answer:

Both A and R are false.

Explanation — The main function of cerebellum are muscular coordination and body balance. Cerebrum, the largest portion of the brain, is the seat of intelligence, consciousness and will power. Hence, it enables us to remember, think and reason. Therefore both the Assertion and the Reason are incorrect.

Question 2(c)

Assertion (A): The glands and muscles are considered as effector organs.

Reason (R): Muscles and glands are highly affected by the impulses carried through the sensory nerves from sense organs to the central nervous system (brain/ spinal cord).

  1. Both A and R are true.
  2. Both A and R are false.
  3. A is true and R is false.
  4. A is false and R is true.
Assertion Reason Type Questions

Answer:

A is true and R is false.

Explanation — Muscles and glands are called effector organs because they carry out the response when they receive signals from the nervous system. Muscles and glands respond to impulses sent from the CNS via motor nerves, not sensory nerves.

Question 2(d)

Assertion (A): The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are antagonistic (opposite) in their actions.

Reason (R): Sympathetic nervous system becomes active when a person is in fear whereas parasympathetic nervous system gets activated when in anger.

  1. Both A and R are true.
  2. Both A and R are false.
  3. A is true and R is false.
  4. A is false and R is true.
Assertion Reason Type Questions

Answer:

A is true and R is false.

Explanation — While the sympathetic nervous system is indeed activated during states of fear, the parasympathetic nervous system is associated with rest and digestion, not anger. Anger is more closely linked to the sympathetic nervous system's activation.

Question 2(e)

Assertion (A): The arrangement of white and grey matter is reversed in spinal cord from that in the brain.

Reason (R): In brain, the outer portion is white and the inner portion is grey. In spinal cord, the outer portion consists of cytons of neurons whereas the inner portion contains the axons of neurons.

  1. Both A and R are true.
  2. Both A and R are false.
  3. A is true and R is false.
  4. A is false and R is true.
Assertion Reason Type Questions

Answer:

A is true and R is false.

Explanation — In the brain, the outer portion of cerebrum contains the grey matter and the inner portion of cerebrum contains the white matter. In the spinal cord, the arrangement is reversed. In the spinal cord, the inner part is the grey matter made up of cell bodies, while the outer part is the white matter made up of axons.

Long Answer Questions

10 questions

Question 1(a)

Differentiate between the following pairs of terms on the basis of what is indicated within the brackets :

Stimulus and response (definition)

Long Answer Questions

Answer:

Difference between Stimulus and Response on the basis of definition:

StimulusResponse
Any change in the environment that usually results in change in the activity of the body.The activity of the body due to the stimulus.

Question 1(b)

Differentiate between the following pairs of terms on the basis of what is indicated within the brackets :

Receptor and Effector (examples)

Long Answer Questions

Answer:

Difference between Receptor and Effector on the basis of examples:

ReceptorEffector
The nerve cells in the skin that receives the stimulus is the receptor.The muscle of the hand receiving the command from the brain is an effector.

Question 1(c)

Differentiate between the following pairs of terms on the basis of what is indicated within the brackets :

Motor nerve and Sensory nerve (function)

Long Answer Questions

Answer:

Difference between Motor nerve and Sensory nerve on the basis of their function:

Motor NerveSensory Nerve
Motor nerve carries impulses from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands.Sensory nerve carries impulses from the sense organs to the spinal cord or brain.

Question 1(d)

Differentiate between the following pairs of terms on the basis of what is indicated within the brackets :

Cranial and Spinal nerves (number in pairs)

Long Answer Questions

Answer:

Difference between Cranial and Spinal nerves on the basis of their number in pairs:

Cranial NervesSpinal Nerves
There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves.There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

Question 1(e)

Differentiate between the following pairs of terms on the basis of what is indicated within the brackets :

Cerebrum and Medulla oblongata (function)

Long Answer Questions

Answer:

Difference between Cerebrum and Medulla oblongata on the basis of their function:

CerebrumMedulla oblongata
The cerebrum is the seat of intelligence, consciousness and will power. It controls all the voluntary activities.Medulla oblongata controls the activities of the internal organs.

Question 1(f)

Differentiate between the following pairs of terms on the basis of what is indicated within the brackets :

Cerebrum and Spinal cord (arrangement of white and grey matter)

Long Answer Questions

Answer:

Difference between Cerebrum and Spinal cord on the basis of arrangement of white and grey matter:

CerebrumSpinal cord
In Cerebrum, the outer portion contains grey matter and inner portion contains white matter.In Spinal cord, the inner part contains grey matter and the outer part contains white matter.

Question 2

Draw a neat and labeled diagram of a neuron and answer the following questions :

(a) What are the two main parts of a neuron?

(b) Is this structure unicellular or multicellular?

(c) Which part of the neuron contains nucleus?

(d) Name the two parts of the human body where neurons are found abundantly.

(e) How are neurons significant to us?

Long Answer Questions

Answer:

Labeled diagram of a neuron is shown below:

Draw a neat and labeled diagram of a neuron. Nervous System, Concise Biology Solutions ICSE Class 8.

(a) Axon and Cyton

(b) Unicellular

(c) Cyton

(d) Brain and Spinal cord

(e) Neurons are significant to us as they are the fundamental building blocks of the nervous system. Neurons carry impulses between sense organs and brain or spinal cord as well as between themselves. They keep us informed about the outside world and bring about control and coordination in our body. They also help in regulating our involuntary activities.

Question 3

With the help of a suitable example, describe reflex action.

Long Answer Questions

Answer:

The peripheral nervous system and spinal cord together control certain actions where the brain is not involved, e.g. when we touch a hot object or get pricked by a pointed object, we instantly remove our hand, without thinking about it. Such an action is called a reflex action.

With the help of a suitable example, describe reflex action. Nervous System, Concise Biology Solutions ICSE Class 8.

Question 4(a)

Briefly differentiate between the following by giving examples:

Voluntary and involuntary action.

Long Answer Questions

Answer:

Difference between Voluntary and involuntary action is given below:

Voluntary ActionInvoluntary Action
Voluntary actions occur knowingly.Involuntary actions occur unknowingly.
Cerebrum controls voluntary actions.Medulla oblongata and Spinal cord controls involuntary actions.
Eating apple, watching TV are examples of voluntary actions.Breathing, beating of heart are examples of involuntary actions.

Question 4(b)

Briefly differentiate between the following by giving examples:

Inborn and acquired reflexes.

Long Answer Questions

Answer:

Difference between Inborn and acquired reflexes is given below:

Inborn ReflexesAcquired Reflexes
No previous experience or learning is required for inborn reflexes.Acquired reflexes develop with experience and learning during the lifetime.
Blinking, coughing, sneezing, vomiting are examples of inborn reflexes.Typing on the keyboard, playing a musical instrument are examples of acquired reflexes.

Name The Following

2 questions

Question 3

Name:

(a) The long, extended process of a neuron.

(b) The point of contact between two neurons.

(c) The kind of nerve which carries both sensory and motor neurons.

(d) The nerve which connects the eyes to the brain.

(e) The nerve which connects the nose to the brain.

(f) The nerve which connects the ears to the brain.

(g) Two sub-divisions of the peripheral nervous system.

(h) Two parts of the autonomic nervous system.

Name The Following

Answer:

(a) Axon

(b) Synapse

(c) Mixed nerve

(d) The Optic nerve

(e) Olfactory nerve

(f) Auditory nerve

(g) Somatic nervous system and Autonomic nervous system.

(h) Sympathetic and Parasympathetic systems

Question 4

You are driving your bicycle at a fast speed. Suddenly, a small boy comes in front of your cycle and without wasting any time in thinking, you immediately apply the brakes and the accident is avoided. What name is given to such an action ?

Name The Following

Answer:

This is a Conditioned or Acquired Reflex action. This reflex is one which is developed during the lifetime due to experience or learning.

Objective Type Questions

5 questions

Question 1(a)

Medulla oblongata controls

  1. Smelling
  2. Beating of heart and respiratory movement
  3. Intelligence and will power
  4. Balancing of the body
Objective Type Questions

Answer:

Beating of heart and respiratory movement

Reason — Medulla oblongata controls breathing, heart function, blood vessel function, digestion, sneezing, and peristalsis of the alimentary canal, etc.

Question 1(b)

Balance of body is controlled by

  1. Spinal cord
  2. Cerebellum
  3. Cerebrum
  4. Medulla
Objective Type Questions

Answer:

Cerebellum

Reason — Body balance and muscular coordination is controlled by the cerebellum of the brain.

Question 1(d)

The structural and functional unit of nervous system is

  1. Axon
  2. Nephron
  3. Neuron
  4. Dendron
Objective Type Questions

Answer:

Neuron

Reason — Neurons are the structural and functional unit of the nervous system.

Question 1(e)

Peripheral nervous system consists of different types of nerves which connect the central nervous system to all parts of the body. Cranial nerves, spinal nerves, sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves are all connected to different parts of the body. Which of the following does not belong to cranial nerves ?

  1. Olfactory nerves
  2. Auditory nerves
  3. Optic nerves
  4. Sympathetic nerves
Objective Type Questions

Answer:

Sympathetic nerves

Reason — Cranial nerves emerge from the brain. Some of the cranial nerves are — the olfactory (for nose), optic (for eyes) and auditory (for ears). While cranial nerves are a part of Somatic nervous system, Sympathetic nerves are a part of Autonomic nervous system.

Question 1(f)

Ayush, a student of class 8 was preparing for his biology annual exam but could not understand the terms Receptor, Effector, Stimulus and Response. Which of the following statements explains 'receptor' ?

P. Receptors are sense organs.

Q. Receptors send impulses to CNS through sensory nerves.

R. Receptors receive messages from the central nervous system.

  1. Only R
  2. Only Q
  3. Only P and R
  4. Only P and Q
Objective Type Questions

Answer:

Only P and Q

Reason — Receptors are the sense organs that receive the stimulus. They send impulses to CNS through sensory nerves. For example, eyes, ears, skin, etc.

Short Answer Questions

16 questions

Question 1(a)

Name the three kinds of neurons

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Three kinds of neurons:

  1. Sensory Neurons
  2. Motor Neurons
  3. Association Neurons

Question 1(b)

Name the three kinds of nerves

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Three kinds of nerves:

  1. Sensory Nerves
  2. Motor Nerves
  3. Mixed Nerves

Question 1(c)

Name the three main parts of the brain

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Three main parts of the brain:

  1. Cerebrum
  2. Cerebellum
  3. Medulla Oblongata

Question 1(d)

Name the two types of reflexes

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Two types of reflexes:

  1. Natural reflexes
  2. Conditioned reflexes

Question 1(e)

Name the two types of effectors

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Two types of effectors:

  1. Muscle
  2. Gland

Question 2(a)

Define Coordination.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

The interlinking of various activities and organs of a living being as per the needs of the body internally or externally is called coordination.

Question 2(b)

Define Synapse.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

A synapse is a small junction used for communication between two neurons.

Question 2(c)

Define Impulse.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

A wave of electrical disturbance that runs through the nerves.

Question 2(d)

Define Reflex action.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Reflex action is the quick, immediate and automatic involuntary action in the body brought about by a stimulus without the involvement of the brain.

Question 2(e)

Define Reflex arc.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

The shortest pathway of the nerve impulse from a receptor to the effector which makes a reflex action possible is called a reflex arc.

Question 3(a)

Write one important role of Cerebrum.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Intelligence and memory.

Question 3(b)

Write one important role of Cerebellum.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Muscular Coordination.

Question 3(c)

Write one important role of Medulla oblongata.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Breathing and digestion.

Question 3(d)

Write one important role of Receptors.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Receive the stimulus.

Question 3(e)

Write one important role of Spinal cord.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Control reflexes below neck.

Question 4

Write the specific terms/structures for the ‘pathway of a reflex arc’ in a proper logical sequence, starting with stimulus and ending with response/reflex action.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

'Pathway of a reflex arc' is shown below:

Write the specific terms/structures for the ‘pathway of a reflex arc’ in a proper logical sequence, starting with stimulus and ending with response/reflex action. Nervous System, Concise Biology Solutions ICSE Class 8.