t1.

APTER -

12
Nervous and
sensory Systems
Psychology is destined to study the behaviour of humans, which depends upon the
processing in their brain and other parts. Thus, studying and understanding the
nervous and sensory systems and their aspects is extremely necessary for analysing
the psychological l;>ehaviour of humans.

Neurons
Neurons are the specialised cells present within the body that perform the task of
transmission of information.
The neuron differs from other cells as it is specialised for information processing. To
some degree, all functions that sustain life, as well as those that make us human are
coordinated and depend on the communication of neurons. Neurons are
anatomically independent as they do come very close to each other, but they do not
t~uch each other. The nervous system, thus, consists of separate units rather than a
stn&1e continuous structure.

structure of Neurons
Neurons vary in form but all neurons possess the basic structural units like a cell
bod '
y, an axon and dendrites.
@ In this Chapter
• Neurons
- Structure of Neurons
Dendrites - Functions of Neurons
Axon - Types of Neurons
- Synaptic Transmission
- Neurotransmitter
• Nervous System
- Central Nervous System
Axon hillock - Peripheral Nervous System
- Neuroplasticity System
• Sensory System

Basic Structure of Neuron

798
Coll Body
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Dendrites
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ofl(•n among tl11• most characteristic morphological
11•,11111 e, ol a 1wurnn
l)end1i1r, an.· tim· and an.· usually shorter than the axon,
hut the,· i:an have upto thousands of svnapses or contacts
with otlwr neurons. Dendrites comprise most of the
recept 1,·1· surface of a neuron.
Axon
The axon extends away from the cell body Its primary
function i, to transmit ·clrctrochemical information from
the cell hodv to tht· synapse through microtubules along
us length
Axom arc It·,, than I mm in length. Large motor neurons
o(Jong axom, ~ome or them reaching to the lower end of
the \p111al uml or the foot muscles, whereas other
neurom, including tho\e that coordinate activity within a
p< cil1c ll'g1,,11 of the CNS, have short axons.
l 111p ,! ir axr,m ptcJtT1·d from one region in the CNS to
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11 UIOII
Glial Cells
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UCC NET Tutor• Psyc"°'Oft
.1lll'y mi• :il,o kn1JWII a, lll['l""'tl,!lit/11 of the nervous systrlll
I /rt' main fi1111 t,om nf gllill a/11 ,11t
• t<, ,urround m·urom and hold tht min place,
• to ,upply r111trit•n1s and oxygen c,f the neurons
• to imula11· <HH' nt•urnn Iron, another
C:ltal tl'II, an• found throughout the CNS and PNS. T1uthrtt
ma, 11 tnm, ,y glial rdll in t/11• CNS an:
(i) J\..trocyti·-; are fihrou~. ~tar-shaped cells with rnany)rnaJj
'krt • 1>r prm 1."1,, 1hat int('rpose thl'rmdvc~ between
Lr,din • dendrites and the va~culat11rc
n1·11ror1a I l 1·11 11
prnvid i ng ,trul t ural ~u pport._ A st~ocyte'i respond to
brain injury by swl'lling or prolifl'ratrng lo fill a damagt
. ... With in 1·urv
~(1,ll,. , a~1rocy•1es can also degenerate and
form ,car I i\\ut·.
(ii) Oligoclcnclrocytcs in the CNS and Schwann cdl in tht
f>N<-i arl mvdin forming glial cells that envelope axom
and nt·uro~s. Thcsr cclb perform a vital function m
wrapping the nerve cell with a lipid layer of myelin and
innt·a,ing the speed with which a ncurom conduct iu
impubt" along an a.xon.
(iii) Microglia are small cells within the CNS that undergo
rapid proliferation in response to tissue de.structio1~
migrating toward the site of injured or dead cells, whert
they act as scavengers and metabolise tis~ue debris.
Axon Terminals
Near the end of the axon are branches with slightlv enlarged
ends called nxo11nl tem1i11als or tm11i1111/ buttons. The site of inter
neuronal contact where neurochemical information I)
transmitted from one neuron to another, is called a SJ"rapSf
The terminal button is the presynaptic portion of the neuron.
the place where electrical nerve impulses causes the release of a
neurotransmitter. This chemical in tum affects another
neuron or muscle in either an excitatory or an inhibiton
manner. Signals that travel along the a.xon arc dei:trical anJ
the transfer of neurotransmitters across synapses. from one
neuron to another, is chemical.
Function of Neurons
Neurons arc involved in the signal reception, integration ~f
incoming signal as wdl as rnmmunication of signal. 'flus
I ransmi!>sion of information t'nsurt's the approp1iate respa~se-
lJll'ji111ct11J//.1· rj'llt'lllcl/lS Ill(' t1sJ1/lm,•s
• R~rq,tiw Funrtions of Neurons Neurons come 1' 10 % 1
rn111ae1 with oth1·1 i:l'lls at sites lillo\\11 as synapses ~
,urn·,sl\il rnmmtmil'ation. Neurons play a receptilit
funl'tion by 1erl'iYing infonnation that originated front. P
stunu · l'nsures l' 1·1·t'l't1Vl'
• 11,· rt 11, · ·
• transn11ss10n o t· 1·nt·orrnauo
and appropriate rt·sponse to stimuli
 and Sensory Systems
~

~z acu~ pcr...er:i.a..s Ar: :..ruo-

the r:evo; ~ e~ux i::rn~r~ C.LS<OC by

• p: :er•.ws.:, can w~e; both cru:m:a., a..r-:::

tirt (il : • ..:10

, Cbtcic:,J Synap~ In "' crerrucal syr..<:.r-,,t. tlt::: ac-_r.,;-

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_.. :,c:J. . id1; e

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· m\._.,_· -.,,~-
. ....0 ~n,,.,..,.~-= _ a., electric wi:-e.
, F. a_') anion potential LS genere...e-<l, it is curie<: a!or; ~
. - J.U '---'-\.......

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• . -
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T;
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soc.iu::n io:15 ·:--:a· I ,;.r,c. a ::iega.fr;e potential. :.!. less
?""t->'=r:' • I.he p,15t5};nc,ptic e,dic.g of a cie:-,cri.:.e.
:,osit.iveh· c.~a.rgec £r: Wi.E..55i:irr'. ion.s (K-) respu_-tively.
" ..._.,,t:~ ·m:a.trs can excite ~.e ?OS'._s:,T.ap:ic nekTO:-,. ~\-~en it. i.s i.r. - ~g · ~t~e (resr. y0.. euia.: . On being
c:.:;_.:r gr tfJ ~enerate an ac-J0n pvtemial. exdtee ::>y a 5ti.IT..U:.us. :: CTa..i.ces L~e iJi.side of tlle cell
1'..__tr,-,..tr.th• lr t\' can lnr1ibi, the pos1.5-:.na?tk !1tCTOn, in :::1e::aberc1ne a ti rrie :ess negative.
"· · • v-Y- it doe~n't generate an action potential.
At a critical point ' th.resho!ci . ..he membrane surrounding
• Elturiu.J Synap5es ElectriaJ synapse i~ the ~ech.ani_~ r.i-te neuron ,,,ill change its polarity. The channels \small
._ ~ eleancallv wnductive link ber.•;ee!1 r.rn neighbounng pores) open briefly aUm,ing charged panicles of sodium
.
r .,.,,'ftS n ev r.JCCUr when tv:o neurons are connected ion 0-:a - floating into the cell. which are positii;e]:y
' ''r~:. 7;,,; 1·unctirm Tnis ~ap is much smaller ~ a charged. Thus, tI-1e trc,ide of the neuron becomes more
, r - . • ·1· tne
,.. ap,.c ~nd rncfodes i<,:i channels which raa it.ate positi\·e than the area outside the cell for a shon duration
r! 'tu 's;,n rnis\i<,n r;f positive electrical signal. I about a millisecond .. This brief change to inside positive
" rt :.ill, cleurkal wnap-,es are much faster than 15 called the Action Potential or Xeural Impulse.
c ,
an1Citl )'rt<1J)\t'\. J fr,,..-ever, •
lhe signal d'imin1s
· · hes from
I 1 ~ ·napses !ess
,, ;e Ii • t ·,-~
itl,r·,n l'J the next malong eecri ....... )) Origin of Neural Impulse
'1ft(lJ\·t: .. t tr;,mm,.,w,n Neurons are information carriers of the nervous system.
The intemeurons are largely found in spinal cord and
TyPes of Neurons brain. It receives impulses conducted th.rough afferent
/4 It 171
0
' /Junuion, '"entiJtJ cumify neurom into three broad types neurons and passes it onto the motor neurons to conduct
'itr1~c,ry Neur<,m ·r hc'>e neurons are activated by the impluses conducted through afferent neurons and
'IL-rn 4 I phy~,uil (Jf d1c:rnic.tl stimuli. Thh im olve\ passes it onto the neuron to conduct the impulses down to
!<11~rry at\1vawm
• , ,,f any c1 f t,1e
L r·ive M:n~· the organs or response. Thus, it connects the two neurons
or brings about an association between them.
 UC:C NET Tutor • Psycho !~

200
\\'ill depolarise . .\ml dll' L1Stl'I tlw ~l·~nh'nl\ ,It
depolarise d. the fastl't till' m•ui;tl impulse" ill II awl alon~
Thus the function of the neuron is to gener:ne neural energ\'.
which is known as neural impluses and ,,;th the help of "-'-on the axlHI.
fibres it transmits neural impulses from one place to another The pobritv of the fost Sl'gnwnt tl'l\Hm to nt11 mal ,I\ K,
ions lean~ the cdl. rhe 1\H)\'l'llll' I\( nf Nc1. illns intl\ th
in the nervous system. p;Ht \
The brief charge to inside positively is t11e 'neural impulse·.
next portion oft he :t'-nn. l·auses
l . . .llf t h,ll
the pliL11 it, tu
change \\ith the inside 1l·nnrnng posit 1\'eh dt:ll):t'll
After the nerve impulse has occurred. the neuron is restored to . {t he action
in n()britv ptitl'llti:1I) ennt,·,1ltt1
These... ch:1naes
~ r
its original resting charge by an outward f-lmY of pmassium ion :,long the a'.\.on until re:iching t lw prl'S\'11:1pt k te1 min.,1'
and is read\' to fire aoain.
b
The electrical nerYe impulses trm el
.
•
along a,on exciting the ne:\-1 region and does so as 1t
continousl Y moves down the axon. The function of neural Syna ptic Transmission
conductiv i~' is regulated by certain functions and laws. The The con11nuni c:uion within ncurnns happl' IIS at tht•
details, describing how the propagatio n of neural impulse s~'napse \\'hich is the g:1p bct,wen two lll' urnn.~ or bl't\\\'l'n
happens is described below. a neuron and :1 target cell. lik.c :1 musck or a gbnd. \t the
s!·napse. the firing of an act inn pnll'ntial frnm llllL' 1\l'll l\ln
Propagation of the Impulse ;.,·. the presyn:1pt ic or SL'nding 1wuron, c:111sl's i.t' tlw
A neuron receives most of its messages from other neurons. transmiss ion of .i signal to :111otlw1 lll'ttnlll. thl·
from sensory receptors through synapses on its dendrites and postsynap tic or recetYmg neuron, making tlw
cell body. These messages do not ordina1ily produce action postsy-nap tic neuron either more or kss likd\' tll fitl' it\
potentials . which begin at the axon Hillock. \\·here the 0\\11 action potential.
threshold for activation is lower. Synaptic transm1ss1 on involves thl' rdl':tSl' of
The axon is a countinuo us structure with action potentials neurotran smitters. Neurotran smitters C:\lT\ ' inf01matio11
being transmitte d from one segment to the ne..,"t along the from the pres~·napt ic or sending nl'uron tu tlw
length of the a,on. At the same time the ion channels in the postsynap tic or receiving m·tmm.
first segment close for Na ions. The Na ·ions that entered this
Synapses are usuallY forml'd bl'twcen m'tYL' tl'rtninals ,.,
f:rst segment are attracted to a region where there are fewer
a...,on terminals oft he sending neuron and the cdl blllh 111
Na · ions and a more negative charge is generated inside of the
dendrites of the rl'ceiYing neuron. lnsidl' thl' ,t\llll
next segment of the axon. \ \ hen these ions reach the next
terminal of :1 presYnaptiL' 1wuron ;\n' manv svnaptll'
segment. the resulting depolarisa tion brings this second
Yesicles. These arc membr:111L' hound sphL'I l'~ l h.tl ,Ill'
segment of the axon to the threshold le\'el. J\ lore sodium
filled with ncurotran smittns.
channels open consequen tly.
Due to this more Na ions enter and these Na ·ions are There is a small gap bct\\·ecn the a:-.on tL'rn11nal nf till'
attached to the ne).t ~egment and thus, the acuon potential pre,, naptiL' ncu1 on ,tnd the llll'lllht ;\Ill' of till'
continue, along the length of the 3."\011. Before the thn.:~hold is pthLwnap tic cell and this g,1p is calkd tlw s1•11,111ti1 t'lr-/t
1
reached in a gi\'cn segment: ther"' i, a ch.1ngc in mcmb anc \ \ hcn an act ion potent 1al, m nervt· impuisL·, ,11 11n·, .1t the
potential because of the ~a ions that have entered tlw :1,on terminal. n ,11.:ti,·a tl'~ voltage gatl'd caki11111 ch,1111\l'"
segment. This depolarisa tion that has not reached threshold 111 thc cell mcmbran c. Cc1 ·, which is prl'~l·nt ,tt ,1 mmh
1
can be calied as a gmdt.'d rfrpo/(llis11tio11 higher concentr·,\ t.1011 out , 1· <.Il' t llL' neuron t ha11 111,11· I·
The speed of impulse transmissi on is not the same for all rushes
• ·~ l' c.:·II •
into tJ,,, r, .
1L r-
1
1
\. d • I a II ()\\'', ,;ynapt .IC Vl'Sll'Ir, t I
neurons and is independe nt of Himulus imensit\' "hich is an !use with th·l. ,·txon tl, rm111al · nwmbian l', tl' It-.1,11 ~
aspect of all or none law. So. if the stimulus· e"\ceeds the neurotran smitter into thl' wnaptil' rklt.
threshold potential. the nerve or muscle fibre \\'ill give a
complete re~pon.se. othernise there is no response. Larger
The ncurotran sm1tlt'r molt·l uk~ di! Iusl' ano,,
.,,.1nJ)tic
• ' · I to n•n'ptor pr<>ll'il1\ Clil
deft '·111d l)tnl
"",~r
neur~ns transmn messages faster than ~maller neurons:
pm.bynap tic cell.
myelm~te d axons ha\'e a faster transmi~s ion rate than 11
unmyelma ted axons and the greater the numb~t:r or svnapses ActiYatio n of post',~•11.,tpt ·IL recl'ptot s leads to tl1l' np 11n
t h e sIower ..the message Ua\'els. \ \'hen an act1·0 n potenua. ,· ur clo~ing of ion channel!, in the ct•II nwmhran r rhi~ 111.11
111
occurs, N a wns flow along the inside of the cell b be depolarisi ng making thl' imidl' ol thl' rdl mnrl' pn, '
de ol · · h mem rane 1111
p ansmg t e segment of the membrane tl1at 1· . ' or hy_perpol arising making the imiLk ul 1lw l·l'll J\'
ah d Th • < 1es JU~t
ea . ' e thicker the axon, the faster the local membran e ·
negauve-d epend'ing 011 t I1t' 1011, .
111volvcd.
 ous and Sensory Systems
"etV
jtatory and Inhibitory
Et~tsynaptic Potentials
po · I. I ·
When a ncurotransrn1tLcr 11nc s to its receptor on a receiving cell,
, ,
,,< ion channels Lo open or close. This can p d
ii caus--., . . ro uce a
1oealiscd change in the potent ial across the mcmbran .... of the
receiving cell.
' In some ca~es, th~ change m~kes the target cell more likely to
fire its ovm action potcnllal. In this case, the '>hift in
rnernbrane potc~tial_ is calle~ ~~ exc'.tatory posts_ynaptic potential
or EPSP. An Ef SP JS dcpolarning 1t makes the in<,ide of the
cell more positive, bringing the membrane potenlial closer to
its thre~hold for firing an action potcnlial. Sometimes, a single
EPSP isn'L large enough to bring the neuron to threshold, but
it can sum together with other EPSPs to trigger an action
potential.
In other cases, the change makes the target cell less likely to
fire an action potential and is called an inhi/Jito1y po1tsynaptic
potential or f PSP. IPSPs tend to keep the membrane potential
of the postsynaptic neuron below threshold for firing an
action potential. IPSPs arc important becaw,e they can
counteract, or cancel out, the excitatory effect of the EPSPs.
Neurotransmitter
Neurotransmitters are often referred to as the body's chemical
messengers. They are the molecules used by the nervous system
to transmit messages between neurons or from neuron to muscle.
A neurotransmitter can work in two ways i.e. excitatory or
inhibitory and neuromodulators
(i) Excitatory Transmitter promotes the generation of action
potential in the receiving n~urons, while inhibitory
transmitter prevents it. A neurotransmitter being
excitatory or inhibitory depends on the receptor it binds to.
(ii) Neuromodulators affect a large number of neurons
simul taneously o n ce. Therefore, they regulate the
population o f ne uron and o p erate over a slower time course
than excitatory a n d inhibitory neurotransmitters.
Types of Neurotransmitter
· are as fiollows
There nre several types of neurotransmitters wl11ch
ArninoA
ih · Neurotransmitters
c1d
dire neurot ran smitte rs in t h e vast m a jority of fast acting,
ectect s . .d
(the ynapses in the central nervous syst em a re a mmo ac1 s
Widellllolecular building blocks of prote ins). T h e fou r m ost
&lut• Y acknowled ged amino a c id n eurotra n smitte rs a re
amatc ' a sparat e, glycine a nd Gamma- Ammo · B uty n·c A ct"d
(CAB
· we consume,
Wh... A) · The f·irst t h rec a re commo n in the protein
. f h
t(.' as GABA·
ts synthesised bv a simple m o d·r·1 1cat 10n o t e
207
s1ruc1urc of glutamatt'.(C,lu1ama1e is the mo'>t prevalent
excitatorv n<;ur<>Lrammius.:r)in the rnarnrnalian <entral
nervous '>ystem and ~ABA i'> the m<>~t prev,1lcnt
inhibitory neurotransmitter.~
Monoamine Neurotransmitters
Monoamincs are anotliu c.la\s o( -;n,all m<Jkt uk
nlurotrammitter'>. Each is synthesi'>cd from a singk
amin<> acid, hence, the name monoamine. 1'vtonoamine
neurotransmitters are slightly larger than amino acid
neurotransmitters and their effect<; tend to be more
diffu<,c:d. The monoamine'> are prcc,cnt in small groups
of neurons whose cell bodies are mostly, loc:att'd in the
brain stem.
These ncurom often have highly branc:hl'cl axons with
many · var.co\1t1es, from which mo110arnine
rw11r~,1rammittl"r'> difl~se into the e.x1racellular fluid.
Thc.-n· are four monoaminc nl'urotr:m'>mitll'r'-.
dopamine, epinephrine, norepincphrinc and '>l'r<>tonin
They arc sub-divided into two group-., c:atl'cholaminc'>
ancl indolamine'-., on the- ba-.1-. of thl'ir '>tructure'>
Dopamine, norepinephrine and l'pinl'phrnll' an.·
catecholamine<; and each i'-. -.y11tlw-.i-.ed ho111 the amino
acid tyroc,ine. In contra~t to othn 111011oamit1l"'>,
serotonin i<, <.,ynthe'-.i'>ed fro111 the amino acid
tryptophan and j-, da.,.,ifinl ;i<., a11 i11tlola111i11e.
Soluble-Gas Neurotransmitters
Another das'> of ,mall rnokcuh- l1l'llroti.111-.mittl•r<., art·
the soluble ga~e'> which include nil tic oxick and carho 11
monoxide. ·nw VJ!ulile ga'>t:'> do 1101 act lik(• the other
neurotransrnit ters. 'fhl'y an: produ<l'd in t lw nc·ural
~toplasm and r,nc c produn·d, t lu·y ,n 11nL·diately
diffuse through the t.dl rnernbra,w into t h l'
extracellular fluid anJ thc.:11 intr, nc.:arby u·II<.,.
These can easily pa<,<, through the cl'II nwmbrn rw
becau<;c they are soluble in lipiJ.,. 01 1n: in other cc·llc;
these _st imulatc the pn,duct ion ,,r
:1 '>rcc,nd rnes<,c:n.gt·;
and in a few !>econd., are de,H't ivat<·d by being
converted .to rJthc.:r rnolc.:c.Lil•·'
, ,. .Sc, tu b le ga~
neurotransmitter<, havt bet:n '>h<Jwn t<, be- involved in
retrograde. trammic,si<,n u, regulate th<: activi ty of
pre-synaptic neuron'>.
Acetylcholine
~cetylcholine is a !>mall molecule nc u rot rammit tcr. It
is created by a d d ing an acc t yl grou p to a ch lorine
molecule . Acetylcholin e is t he ncu rot ransm itte 1 at
neu romuscula r junctiom, at man y of 1h e ~ynapse!> in
 UCC NET Tutor • Psychology
20~

tlw -1ut,,1wmil· 1wn ,,\1:; :;,st,·m ;11\d at synapSl'S in St'Vl'ral parts of the central Central Nervous
n,·n ,,u~ s, stem. \l'l't, kh,1li1w 1s b1,1l-.l·n dl)\\ n in I lw sv napse bv I he enzyme System
.l\."l.'t\ ldh1h1w~tl't.tSl' N,·unms that 1t·kasl' ;ll't'tYkholinc are said to be cholinergic.
The central nervous system consists
_._, .. ·:, ,,r,,,. (\'l'lllh''' llc"llll•t1,111s1111tt,·1)· 11·irh tl,n, ,:fli•l'f 1//"t' of the brain and spinal cord and
Neurotr.1nsrnitter Location Effects serves as the integrating and
.).,•'<'!\ ,t10 1nt1 F0u11d tt110u9hout the Cl'l111,1I Involved 111 muscle action, learning and command centre of the nervous
nt11\,1t1s s,stt>m, 111 the .1utonom1c memory. system. The brain plays the central
nt'MXIS svstem nnd at nil r~le in the control of most of the
neurr,mliscu1ar 1v1ctions
bodily functions, including
Found 111 neL rons '1 the autonomic Pnmanly involved In control or alertness
nel\ous svsten, and wakefullness awareness, movements, sensations,
Involved in movement. attention and thoughts, speech and memory.
Doo...11wne Produced by neurons located in a
region of the brain called the leanng. Degeneration of dopamine
producing neurons has been linked to
Some reflex movements can occur
substant1a rngr.:i
Park1nson·s disease. Too much through spinal cord pathways
dopamine has been hnked to without the participation of any of
schizophrenia.
the brain stmctures. The spinal cord
Found 1n neurons 1n the brain and Plays a role 1n the regulation of mood and
Seiotonn
in the control of eating, sleep and is connected to a section of the brain
spinal cord
arousal. Has also been implicated in the called the brai11stem and runs
~;1_lat1on of pain and in dreami~
through the spinal canal. Cranial
Found throughout the brain and GABA 1s the major inhibitory
G~S~ tGamrna nerves exit the brainstem and nerve
amrno-but)nc spinal cord. neurotransmitter in the brain. Abnormal
levels of GABA have been implicated In roots exit the spinal cord to both
acd)
sleep and eating disorders. sides of the body. The spinal cord
carries signals (messages) back and
forth between the brain and the
peripheral nerves.

Nervous System Brain

The brain is the central control
Ner\'ous 5''Stem is a comple.\. network of neurons that regulates bodily processes
module of the body and also
and is ultimateh· responsible for all aspects of conscious experience.
coordinates various activities. From
The nerYous S\'stem 1s divided into two main parts as central nervous system and physical motion to the secretion of
peripheral ner\'ous s, stem hormones, the creation of memories
Nervous system and the sensation of emotion
everything is controlled by the brain
To carry out these functions, some
Central sections of the brain have dedicated
Nervous System
&a,n and sp,naJ cord roles.
However, many higher functions
like reasoning, problem-solving,
Autonomic Nervous System creativity involve different areas
Connects central nervous working together in networks.
nervous system system to involuntary muscles,
to voluntary muscles glands
Specific Regions of erairi
Some specific brain regions are asfal/q'IIS
(i) Cerebrum It constitutes of Ul'
Sympathe · asympa
System Syste
most developed part in hUfll~
,es bocfy for es body and is mainly involved~
, use of energy allonof
specialised functions ,}dJIS,
intelligence, learning
Types of Nervous System
memory, speech etc.
 Sensory Systems
11,rvous and
71,c ccrdman is rough!}! split into four lobes
• Tempora_I lobe It is im~ortant for processing
sensory mput and assigning it emotional
meaning. It is also involved in laying down
Jong-term memories. Some aspects of language
perception are also housed here.
• Occipital lobe It is a visual processing region of
the brain, housing the visual cortex.
• Parietal lobe The parietal lobe integrates
sensory information including touch, spatial
awareness and navigation. Touch stimulation
from the skin is liltimately sent to the parietal
lobe. It also plays a part in language processing.
• Frontal lobe It is positioned at the front of the
brain. The frontal lobe contains the majority of
dopamine-sensitive neurons and is involved in
attention, reward, short-term memory,
motivation and planning.
(ii) Basal Ganglia It is involved in the control of
voluntary motor movements, procedural learning
and decisions about which motor activities to be
carried out.
(iii) Cerebellum It is mostly involved in precise motor
control, language processing and attentiveness.
(iv) Broca's Area This is a small area on the left side of
the brain (sometimes on the right in left-handed
individuals) and is important in language
processing.
(v) Corpus Callosum It is a broad band of nerve fibers
that join the left and right hemispheres. It is the
largest white matter structure in the brain and
allows the two hemispheres to communicate.
(vi) Medulla Oblongata It extends below the skull, and
is involved in involuntary functions, such as
vomiting, breathing, sneezing and maintaining the
correct blood pressure.
(vii) Hypothalamus The hypothalamus secretes a
number of neurohormones and regulates the body
temperature, thirst and hunger.
(viii)Thalamus It is positioned in the center of the
brain. The thalamus receives sensory and motor
input and relays it to the rest of the cerebr~I cortex.
It is involved in the regulation of consc10usness,
sleep, awareness and alertness.
(ix) Amygdala These are two almond-shaped nuclei
deep within the temporal Jobe. These are inv~lved
in decision-making, memory and emotional
responses; particularly negative emotions.
203
Spinal Cord
The spinal cord runs almost along the full length of the back
and carries information between the brain and body, but it also
carries out other tasks. From the brain stem where the spinal
cord meets the brain, 31 spinal nerves enter the cord. Motor
commands from the br~in travel from the spine to the muscles
and sensory information travels from the sensory tissues, such
as the skin toward the spinal cord and finally up to the brain.
The spinal cord contains circuits that control certain reflexive
responses, such as the involuntary movement the arm might
make if finger touches a flame. The circuits within the spine
can also generate more complex movements such as walking.
Even without input from the brain, the spinal nerves can
coordinate all of the muscles necessary to walk.
Peripheral Nervous System
The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) is the connection
between the Central Nervous System and the rest of the body.
It creates the signals that control the functions of the body.
The PNS can be broken down ~nto the Autonomic Nervous
System, which controls bodily functions without conscious
control and the sensory-somatic nervous system, which
transmits sensory information from the skin, muscles and
sensory organs to the CNS and sends motor commands from
the CNS to the muscles.
Autonomic Nervous System
The Autonomic Nervous System serves as the relay between
the CNS and the internal organs. It controls the lungs, the
heart, smooth muscle and exocrine and endocrine glands. The
Autonomic Nervous System controls these organs largely
without conscious control. It can continuously monitor the
conditions of these different systems and implement changes
as needed. Signaling to the target tissue usually involves two
synapses: a preganglionic neuron (originating in the CNS)
synapses to a neuron in a ganglion that, in tum, synapses on
the target organ.
The autonomic nervous ~stem consists of two parts
• Sympathetic Nervous System This is activated during a
'fight or flight' situation in which great mental stress or
physical danger is encountered. Neurotransmitters such as
norepinephrine and epinephrine are released, which
increases heart rate and blood flow in certain areas like
muscle, while simultaneously decreasing activities of
non-critical functions for survival, like digestion. The
systems are independent to each other allowing the
activation of certain parts of the body, while others remain
rested.

• Br:\d\t:\l Pk~us (t'"l- \'I) nw \:1st lnt11 n·,vkal ~Pinal
• Parasympathetk "'.'\er-Yous Svstem Prim.nil~- w~in~ the'
neu:-..,c-....."bTilit,er .:c'c'tY'.:ht)Lne -\1...' h) .\S ;\ mc''-l.i;\tlW. the'
F.i!""'.i5"n1r:itnet:.: SYS~em ,Ult)WS the ht, h- tt) ti.nh.'t il)ll in :\
re5: and J ;es: s--1::e. (l)1'Sc'L1ucnth·. wh c'n chc
p:rr....~111.r:.1:~e,k S\ Stt"m -~l)min.ne:: the' bt)<'l.\ , tht'l'c' is
in.Tease in s.• ·, .1,;1.)n :1.nd ;1.:ti, itks lil-..c' di~t'Sti1.)l\ . whik
hear: nee ,u~J t1ther ~ -·mrathcti,· rc':-rl)l\5t' 5 dc'tTt';\Sl'.
l·nlike tlle ~_.,.,,c'.r,heti.: 5' stem. hum.ms h.1\-c' Slm1t'
Yolum.:.u~- Cun,~: i"1 the r:1r:1~·mp.nhetit- 5\Stc'n\ The' \1\l)S(
?Wminen-;: e~:i.mr:es or
this Ct)ntrol .\It' mm.It H)n .md
defecation.
• Lumhosacral Pk'.\.uS (l 1-<. 'ol ) rlw :1nt1.•riordivisions
Somatic Nervous System
The so:,ut.i.: nen·ous ~-srem is nude up t)t .:r;mi.1\ .md spin:il
neIYes .J\d .:onums both senSt)n· .rnd mot1.w neun)ns. Sc'n::1.,1,
neurons u:msT'~it senson· inionn.:nil)ll t1\,m che ::1-..in. ::1-..ckul
muscle. and sensor:· organs to the 1..' "'.'\S. ~ h)tt)r nc'urons
transmit mcSS-3.ges about desired nw,emcnt frt)n\ the CNS w
the muscles t0 initiate mus.:le .:-ontr.1..:-tit)n. \\'ithout the
somatic neIYous ~ ·stem. an animal \YOuld be unable to pnKess
any information about its emironmem , _(. ,, hat it sees. fec'ls.
hears and so on) and could not control motor mo,·emt'ntS.
The cra11ft1! :md spinal 1:c"n-c·s ;l'hf,i: 111,1kc' :,p .,·,1111,1tf,· 11,n-,>11.,· -~1'sto11
are as _:~1lfo·,·s
(i, Cranial ~erves Humans have l::! cranial nen·es. T hese
nen·es emerge from or enter the sl-..ull. Some of the
cranial ner,es are
• Olfaet:ory Nerve Tra;-,smits infomrntion about smell
from nose to brainstem.
• Oculomotor Nerve Controls opening and closing of
eyelid and some eye movements.
• Glossopharyngeal Nerve Has role in both t ast e
senson· and swailo\\ing (motor ).
(ii) Spinal Nerves Humans have 3 1 spinal nen·es. These
em erge from vertebral column and transmit sensory and
m otor information between spinal cord and rest of the
bod v.
D ie spinal 11en es are ns follow
1 completelv. through a process known as s~pti~ ~
• Cervical Spinal Nerves (Cl-C4) The first four cer.'ical
spinal nen·es, C 1 through C4, split and recombine co
produce a variety of nenres that sen•e the neck and back of
head. Spinal nen•e C 1 provides motor innen•ation to
muscles at the base of the skull. C2 and C3 fom, manv of
the nerves of the neck, providing both sensory and m~tor
control. These include the greater occipital nen•e, which
provides sensation to the back of the head and the lesser
occipital nenre, which provides sensation to the area behind
the ears. The phrenic nenre is a nerve essential for our
!>urvival \\'hich arises from nene roots C3, C4 and C5. It
\upplies the thoracic diaphragm, enabling breathing.
UGC NET Tutor • Psychol
,wi, c' S. l ' S tlnm1~h l ' H :111d the• Iii st t horal'ir spinal
t\l'\'\l' . rl . t'()tnhi1w w (mm the h1:1rhial pkxu~. a
t:\n~kd :in:\\' of l\l'l'\' e'S , splil ting, col\\hining anti
t't'l'tmihinin~. to (nrm the 1\l'1'\lt'S tha1 suhs('l'Vt' the
uppt' r-limh :rnd uppe'r h:1ck. 1l is n·sponsihlt• fot
l·ui :inccms and muscu\:lr in11c1v:\I ions of the entire
uppct \imh. with l\\'O t'\.Ct'ptions: thl' trapt' tius musrl(,
1nnt•n :ited lw the spin:11 :1cn·ssorv nt'1, t· (CN
1
XI) and
:m ;\rt':\ nf sk.in nc:11 the :1\.ilb inncrvatl'tl hv the
i1Hc'rt"t)St ()\)f:1ch i:1I ne' 1Vt' .
c)f t hl' h nn b:1r ne'l'\'e'S. s:1t-r:il lH't'\ll'S :111d corcvgeal 1wrve
flwtn the hm1hns:1n:1\ pkxus , l ht' first lumbar nerw
hcin~ fre•qu e'ntly joi1Kd by :1 hr:1nch from the twrlfth
choi;Kic. Fnr tk script ivc' purposes this pkxus is usually
di, ickd into th ree parts : lumb:1r pkxus, sacral plexus
:md puckmbl p k ,us. It works with the s:1cral pkxus to
iYt' au tonom ic. m oto r a nd scnsolv' fibers to the lower
•1
~ -
t',t 1\'!Hit ie'S.
Neuroplasticity System
Nc'uropbstici t, is t he capacity of neurons and neural
nc:c'tworl-..s in tlw h r:1in to changl' tlwir connections and
beh:\\'inur in rt'sponse t o a new information, scnsorv
stimul:lt ion. de·vt'iop1·,1cn1 , damage or dysfunction,
Alt hough n t'ural nt'lworks t'xhihit modularity and carry
ou t spcl"ifk (unct ions. they retain the capacity to deviate
from t ht' ir usual ftt1Ktions and to reorganise themselves.
Rapid change or reorganisation of the brain's cellular or
neural n etworks can takt' place in many different forms
and under ma1w different circumstances.
D evelopmental plasticitv occurs when neurons in the
y oung brain rapidly spr~ut hranchcs and form synapses.
Then , as the brain begins to process sensory information,
some of these svnapst's stren~thcn and others weaken,
. · atcd
Eventually, some unused svnapscs arc cI111un,
111
,vhich 7 eaves' behind efficient nctwor s o neu
connections . Other fbrms of ncuroplasticity operate b)'
almost same mechanism but, under different
111
circumstances and sometimes only to a limited fXIC :
ch 3)
These circumstances include changes in the body, suaJter->
the loss of a limb or sense organ that subsequently. (Ii
the balance of sensory activitv n.·ceivcd hy the _br:"ri11g
addition, neuroplasticitv is employed hy the_ brain ;ugh
the reinforcement of sensory infonnatton ~o\\,jll~
experience, such as in learning and memory and fol braifl
actual physical damage to tht' brain, when e
th
attempts to compensate for lost activity.
 and sensory Systems 205
...10115
/Je'.
che changes in the way the brain works
. 1·on tO •
~dd•[ . al adaptauons, neuroplasticity offers Specific Sensation
I!l ci,on Specific senses detect the sensation of taste, smell , hearing,
:,Jld ~~I avenues for p.sychological c~ange as well.
_p01et1lfll d,· use medications and chemicals to change equilibrium and sight, only through specific sense or a~s . res~~
\\'e aJrea , brain works and psychology has certainly in the head region. This phenomenon is known a ce halisatwn
,· 0 ur
· · le
J,e 11'3. ns of effort to learn how Lo change the Torebjork said "Specific sensations are eyoked by activity m sing
put forth brain works by mo d'I fy'mg our Lhought
to identified sensory units in man."
, [he . f' <l
11a: Researchers are trying to m ways to make
pal rems. . h b .
t significant c anges to our ram structure Receptors ,
(111anen , h . I . . . h . . . . f the body· These are
pe ·on chroug simp e act1v1t1es t at we often
1 Receptors are the stimuli rece1vmg organs o .
a11d funct · f · dows through wh 1ch
. a normal day. called sense organs. Sense organs are m act wm ·
do ,n
information about various objects of the world is gather.ed. These
.
are the pnmary organs of contact vv1t· h t h e PJ,ysical environment,
because our cognition or awareness about the world depends upon
sense organs.
sensory System The stimuli from the external world stimulates or activates the
Sensory system consists of senso,y receptors, neural receptor mechanism of the sense organs and ~roduce . 1~erve
those parts of the brain involved in
pa thwav, and impulses of information about the present stimulating cond1t1ons.
sensorv perception. Common ly recognised senso1y The impulses are carried over through afferent fibers to the
svsce~ are those for vision, hearing, touch, taste, corresponding sensory area in the brain. Thus, aware of the
s~ell and balance. But, senses are not limited to these present stimulus. Thus, the windows or the receptors are the
as humans possess more or less, about ten different senses, which function as primary channel of mental awareness,
,ypes of senses. which is termed as sensation .The major sense organs are the eyes,
1
Skin have separate warmth, cold and pain serses. ears, nose, tongue and skin . Each of the aforementioned organs is
Furthennore, sense: organ in the muscle, .tendons and capable of being stimulated by specific stimuli and produce
joints tell us about position of our limb/and the state· specific sensations.
of tension in the muscle. These form a sense called
h11esthe1is. Sensation is a human's detection of Types of Receptors or Sense Organs
stimuli. Detection of sensation allows the human Pschologists in fact, do not know exactly, how many sensory
body to be aware of changes (stimuli) that occur in organs one possesses. There are certainly more than traditionally
the environment or inside the body. These senses known five sense organs i.e. eyes, ears, nose, skin a nd tongue. The
make the Central Nervous System to produce other senses which are hidden within the body are involved in
reaction for the stimuli and maintain body knowing the position of one's body in space, its movement,
hr,meostasis. internal changes and physiological tensions, when one is hungry,
thirsty or tired.
General Sensation All these senso,y organs can he hroad!J classified into the following three
lht general \cnscs are pain , temperature, touch, categories
pressure, vibration and proprioception. Receptors for Exteroceptors
t~cse sen sat iom are distrihutecl throughout the body.
Gtneral sensations are received by General Sensory E~teroceptors are . rela~ed to receiving information or getting
Rtceptc,rs which when stimulated send a sensation stimulated from stimuli present in the external world. There are
tr, the ( , S five known exteroceptors-the eyes, the ears, the nose, the skin and
Rec ,(:ntral Nervous System. General ense
.eptori are ba.1 ical!J of three types. the to~gu.e. Appropriate external stimulus stimulates the receptor
(i) Extc cells w1thm the organs as a result of which sensory nerve impulses
roceptors Provide info about external
are produced and conveyed to the appropriate sensory area in the
.. tnvironmcnt.
hi) Pro . brain and thus, the individual becomes aware of the external
Pnoceptors Provide info about sketetal stimuli. For .e~mple, wave lengths of light enters into eyes and the
j'· rnuscb and jointc;
( II) lnt .. ~eceptors wit~m the eyes get stimulated from where the sensory
croccptors Provide info about visceral impulses of visual features of the objects are transmitted to th ,.
<irgan, and functions. visual area in the brain and then visual sensation takes place. e
 UCC NET Tutor • Psychology
206

"'' I (u ,,w nl I( m<I W IV(· ,Ht HHl\lt'<I

11( 1, •
1 II pn <nt 111.,illt 11,c 1.ir 'ind tlu 11 .ulr.u11

11 , 011vcytd 11, th1 1ud1111ry ir1 :1 111 tht

w, Ii 1vc nud1tory , 11 ,111,,,, '-i 1111il 111
pl,t{( with ,.,r.1111 ,ry, 1:11 ti!,• ,11111 1.1~11·
I 1111

lnteroceptors
l1 roc.1 ptrn uc r1 I 111 d 1,, th£' v,~, 1 r,d 111ga11•, ,,I 1lw
l)(,<l II h , lu11•• 111tr t1nn, l11 art 111. ·11w ..1· g1•1 Op11c ch1a,m
11111ul t ll lr11111 1 h 111r1 I 1\. 111i; pl ,111· 111 '"" v, ..1nal ,,r
r I Ill 1I I l l ' Ill ,,rt lu l,odv ,111d 1111,d,11 (' wn ..:il HIii\ ,,f 1111' (Jf,IIC. Ifill,!
I 11 • t 1~ Ill}' pl 1C1 111 11111 11111 rn:tl P11virc1111rwn1, ,.r
\1th111 th l)(tth 11 1,,111,11 h p;1i11 ,, lw .., pai11 , lw:idac ht·,
I' lptt 11011 111 ',1m1 1111 <.c• 11•11•p1111<, ;irt· f111111d i11 .. id1·
th hrnh or• Ill\ ,111d ,1 11 " 11111il:11t·cl liy 11111 •r11al .,, 1rn11li
c,nl thn m II 11111 d 11111 1111 q,1111~.
Opt1r, radiation
Propriocepto rs
l'111pnrK1 plnr ,111 lcn111cl 111 th1 pniphn:tl rq~Hm', of thl' Visual Pathway
h< I ind m rt,p,111\llil,· f11r k11w',l lw1i, \C'll\atio11s. It
I II rid Ix dca, that tlll' 11111'1 h-, 1l11•n1"·lv1·._ an· 1101 1111· C:111glion rl'll~ haw axons that leave the n:tina through tht
ptor\, r.11h1r d,,y :1w l!w 1·ffl'lt1,r, or mga11, or opt II di'>C' to mak< up the opt ir nl'rvc The pattern~ of nerve
11111 rlw 11111~< 11·, .d, 11 <1m1ai11 rc·u·ptor
1111p11l,c· in the,c· filwrs carry information about the light that
1rn1 rurc\ \\hll Ii g1v1• \t·n,a11,111' wht•11t·v1•r 11111,d,·, m:-ik1· \lnHk the rod, and rmw, lluman cyr contains about 120
r \ 1110Hm11111011·,p111HI million rod\ and ;ibo111 h million cones. fhe axons of the
gangIion n Ib in the opt i< nerve reach t ht lateral gcniculate
body of th<· thalamus.
Sensory Processes
\ n 01'\ prnt ,·,w, rdn, 10 1h1 way I ht 1wrvo11, ,y,tcm
·r here, they make connection/synapses with cells or the lateral
a11d turn~ into gcniculate body. Then, fibre from the lateral geniculate cell
r ( t IH\ nll''>'i,1g1·, fr1>1n 1lw ,1·n,1·,
carry nerve impulses to the primary visual sensory area at the
n: pon e, I Irr 11111fllV prorc11r1 arr{(\ follolVI
back of the brain .
Sensory Processes: Vision
Sensory Processes: Hearing
I 1yht I ntrr, 11,l , 1 1 lhrr,ugh thl' pupil, travels through
tl11 ,omca, thl· km and tlw 111l lnor of th1· eye ball to The ear has three principle parts, the external ear, which
rnh thc r1,d and c<11w, n ·II, of th< rttina :1t th<' back of collects the physical energy; the middle ear, which transmits
t , hall I ra11,;d1H t ir,11 of I he phy,Kal tnl'rgy into the energy and the inner ear, where the transduction of energy
ru ptor f'(1tu1tia l<, <>< c 11r, 111 1hr rod and (Ont, cell. into nerve impulses actually occurs.

N, rvl 1mpul~c., ,.,,. 1f11•r1 g1·rwiatc·d in n·rtain cdls of the
r,1m,1, 1hc garwli1,r1 ,di. 'lhl'w i111p11bl's travel to the
lir 1111 ,long th1 '•fll" ricrv1· and tlwi, pattern ,ignals a
1 u ii c-vrnt III th1 1·nvir1111m1·11I. 'I lw ray~ of light arc bent
111 rt fr u tnl hy (tirnr~, ,111d l1·ns to bring tlll'm to fonts on
r t1na M1,.,1 r,f till' l1gh1 111 r11l111}; 1,r rl'fraction, i11 thl' eye
1 d 1111 hy C<,rru ii, tlw 11'11~, liy I ha11gi11g its sh:ipt· which
1 ply ,,dd-. , ,11,11glt 11, 1111 lia\11 , c,rrll'al rc·fra('tion to
I 11n' tht IIJ~ht (r,,111 m·,u 1,hj1·1 I!> II> a , harp fo< u .. on tht·
r placl' through the middk l'ar.
The pinna of the external ear collects energy which travels
through a small air filled duct called the auditary canal to the
eardrum. Alteration in the pressure of the sound wave moves
the eardrum back and forth .
The oscillation of the eardrum, in tum moves three small
bones, the ossicles, so that vibration is conducted through the
middle l'ar to the entrance of the cochlea in the inner ear. The
honrs of middle car are connected like series of levers. Hence,
t·rwr1-,ry i1, transmittt·d merhanically and an implication takes
,,_rvous and Sen sory Sys tem s
207

AUd1tory Sen sor y Pro ces ses : Ski n

cortex ure,
Three skin senses are usually distin guish ed i.e. press
Temp eratu re Sensa tion (cold and warm th) and pain.
__________,,/ Auditory ed
cortex • Press ure or Touc h The sensa tion of being slightly touch
not
is know n as pressure or touch. A gradi ent of pressure,
touch exper ience .
unifo rmly distri buted , is the stimu lus for
the
Meis sner Corpuscle serves as the press ure senso r in
t nerve endin g ~oes
r-- -- Medial hairless region of the body . The baske
gs
the same thing for the root of hair. Even free nerve endm
geniculate
nucleus
Inferior colliculus convey touch impulses.
warm ~
• Temp eratu re Sens ation Experiences of cold _and
skin
are elicited by changes in the norm al gradi ent of
the
temp eratu re i.e. by changes in the difference betw een
re of the
temp eratu re of the skin surface and the temp eratu
blood circulating bene ath it.
e prick
• Pain A lot of thing s can produ ce pain, from a needl
Left cochle a Right cochlea to a hard blow on the skin. Pain is cause d by dama ge of
are
Audit ory Pathw ay body tissue. Receptors stimu lated by the tissu e dama ge
free nerve endings. The free nerve endin gs of the pain spots
As the ossicles move back and forth , one of them , the must be specialised in some way to respo nd to painf
ul
of
stapes presses on oval wind ow whic h seals off the end stimu li and not to other stimu li.
the vestibular canal of the cochlea.
The waves in the cochl ea reach the organ of corti, whic
h Sen sor y Processes : Tas te
the h are
lies on the basilar mem brane . The press ure wave in The sense of taste is trans duce d by taste buds , whic
of tongu e,
cochlear canals produ ce bend ing move ment of hair cell clusters of 50-10 0 taste recep tor cells locat ed in the
bent, e is
the organ of corti. Whe n these hair cells are soft palate, epiglottis, phary nx and esoph agus. The tongu
to tongu e
receptor poten tial is initia ted, thus starti ng a process the main senso ry organ of the gusta tory syste m. The
h have
generate nerve impu lse. conta ins papil)ae, or specialised epith elial cells, whic
like
taste buds on their surface. Each taste bud has a flask-
The nerve impulses initia ted in the cochl ea travel into the g cells and
. shape and is formed by two types of cells: supp ortin
brain and then along certa in nerve fibre withi n the brain
origin ate, gusta tory cells.
These fibres-and the nerve cells from whic h they
nt
make up what is called the auditory pathway. The gusta tory cells are sensi tive to the chem icals prese
they releas e
withi n foods that are inges ted and
ical
Sensory Pro ces ses : Sm ell neuro trans mitte rs based on the amou nt of the chem
the gusta tory
The receptor for smell respo nd to chemical substances, prese nt in the food. Neur otran smitt ers from
facial,
especially volatile ones. Smel l recep tors are locat ed high cells can activ ate senso ry neuro ns in the
glossopharyngeal and vagus crani al nerve s.
up in the nasal passage, leadi ng from nostr il to throa t.
They lie in two small passage, one on left and one on right. Four tastes can be recogn.ised: Salty, sour, sweet and bitter.
sensitivity of the smell recep tor is impressive. ions (
The (i) Salty Tast e refers to the perce ption of the sodiu m
Humans can detec t incre dibly small amou nts of odoro
us Na+) in the saliva. Whe n we eat some thing salty, the salt
~c es. crystals dissociate into the comp onen t ions i.e. Na+ and
the odora nt partic le binds to the specific receptor, c1- , whic h dissolve into the saliva in the mout h.
trans ducti on is initia ted. Indiv idual odou r The Na+ conc entra tion becom es high outsi de the
s affect various parts of the olfac tory syste m in gusta tory cells, creat ing a stron g conce ntrati on gradi ent
and comb ine to form a repre senta tion of smell. that drives the diffusion of the ion into the cells. The
t odou r molecules have indiv idual features, the entry of Na+ into these cells results in the depo larisa tion
a
of possible comb inatio ns allow the olfac tory of the cell mem brane and leads to the gener ation of
to dete(· t impressively broad range of smells. recep tor poten tial.
 08 UCC NE T Tu t~ • Psy cho log y

et taste as in both
tt· in the saliva. The (iv) Bitt er Tas te is similar to the swe
(ii) Sou r Tas te is the perc epti on of ein-rnupled
ger depolarisation. cases food molecules bind to G prot
hydrogen ions ente r the cell and trig receptors.
eption of acids in
Sou r flavours are essentially, the perc erent ways in
our food. Increasing hydrogen ion con
centrations in the However. there are a num ber of diff
ther e are a large
saliva (lowering saliva pH) triggers prog
ressively stronger which this can hap pen because
graded pote ntia ls in the gus tato ry cells
. diversity of bitt er-t asti ng molecules.
gustatory cells.
of gus tato ry cells to the Some bitt er molecules depolarise
(iii) Swe et Tas te is the sensitivity tatorv cells.
the saliva. Oth er whereas othe rs hyperpolarise gus
presence of glucose dissolved in ease G protein
mon osa cch arid es such as fructose, or
anificial sweeteners Likewise, some bitt er molecules incr
. whereas other
alose also activate activation with in the gus tato ry cells
suc h as asp arta me. saccharine. or sucr activation. The
for each of these bitt er molecules decrease G protein
the swe et receptors. The affinity of molecule
molecules varies and som e will tast e
sweeter than glucose specific response depends on the tvpe
ein-coupled receptor which is binding to the receptor.
bec aus e they bin d to the G prot
diff eren t!y.

E X A M BASED QUESTIONS I
9 Axonal term ina l are also kno
wn as
rons?
1 Wh at is the bas ic function of neu (a) Term inal butt on (b) Axon end
(a) Rec eivi ng mfo rma tion (b) Moving info rma tion (d) Non e of thes e
(c) Term inal block
(c) Pro cess ing info rma tion (d) All of thes e
10 Neu rotr ans mit ters are rele
ased at the
2 Wh at is the function of cell bod
y of neuron? (b) Term inal button
(a) Syn apse
(a) Sur viva l of neu ron (c) Both a and b (d) None of thes e
e
(b) Mai ntai ning neu rona l stru ctur
(c) Bot h a and b 11 Action pot ent ial can trig ger
(a) chemical syna pse (b) elec trica l synapse
(d) Non e of the above (d) None of these
(c) Both a and b
3 Axon con tain s n two neurons is
(a) mito cho ndri a
(b) ami no acid 12 The microscopic space bet wee
(c) RNA
(d) All of thes e called a(n)
(b) acetylcholine
4 Neu ron receive chemical tran
smi ssio n from one (a) enk eph alin s
(c) cate chol ami ne (d) syna pse
;r
ano the r thro ugh is generated, it is
(a) axo n (b) den drit es 13 When an action pot ent ial
(c) cell bod y (d) Non e of thes e carried along the axon to the
e mak e? (a) pres yna ptic end ing (b) post syna ptic ending
5 How ma ny syn aps es can one den drit (c) den drit e (d) None of these
{a) Tho usan d (b) Hun dred
(d) Ten 14 Action pot ent ial trig ger s the
release of chemical
(c) Mill ions
mes sen ger s known as
6 Long axon is pre sen t in (b) Neurotransmitterll
(a) Sym path etic nerv es (b) Par a sym path etic nerv es (a) Syn apse
(c) Both a and b (d) None of these
(c) Motor neu rons (d) Affe rent neu rons
/
n proceed from one 15 Dir ect tran smi ssio n of positiv
e electrical stin'1
7 Where does the Uni pol ar axo
region to ano the r wit hou t bra nch ing? is done thro ugh
(d) Bra in (a) syn apse (b) neur otra nsm itter
(a) CNS (b) PNS (c) Spin al cord
(c) ion cha nne l (d) None of these
n of myelin she ath ?
8 Which of the following is functio rmation fro_rD~
(a) Dec reas es rate of sign al tran smi
ssio n 16 A ner ve cell car ryin g info
eyes, ear s, fingers etc. tow ard the CN
S 18
(b) Insu lato r
(c) Both a and b a(n)
(d) Non e of thes e (a) Mot or neu ron (b) Effector cell
(d) Sen sory neuron
(c) Con nect or neu ron
r ous and Sensory Systems 209
"'~ Which neuron ,•r,rw<:yH conirnandH to the muscle 26 The difference in elec..1;rical charge between t~e
17 orw111 nnd ular I ) in aide and the outside of the axon membrane 18
(n) Mol ol 11<•111·011 defined as the
(b) S1•111mr.Y 1u•11 ro11 foJ membrane potential <h) local potential
(c) J\f'f'<'ri•rli nm1ron potential
(c) glial (d) action potential
(d) r~ffcruut. nouron
27 Which among the following chemical ions are
Glial cc!IA aro found throughout the involved in the generation of action potential?
18 S (h) PNH
(11) CN '
(c) n ot.h II und h
'
(d) None of ihcHc
(a) Na• (bJ er
(c) K, (d) All of these
Which of t,he following respond to brain injury by 28 Which potential is defined as the difference in
19
swelling or proliferating to fi11 up the damage space? electrical charge between the in~ide and the
(a) J\strocyt.<i (b) Microglia outside of an undisturbed axon membrane?
(c) Schwnnn ce ll (d) None of these (a) resting membrane <h) local
20 Neural impulse originate as electrical event of very (c) None of these (d) action
short duration that travel from 29 A change in the axon membrane potential
(a) synapse Lo axon (b) synapse to dendrites from-70 mVto-90 mV would be termed as
(c) axon to dendrites (d) dendrites to axon (a) Repolarisation (b) Threshold potential
21 Electrical event of very short duration travelling (c) Action potential (d) Hyperpolarisation
from dendrite to axon terminal is 30 A neuron membrane potential moves from -90
(a) Synaptic transmission (b) Neurotransmisaion m V to -80 m Vin response to a brief stimulation.
(c) Neural impulse (d) None of these We would term this change in potential as an
22 Which of the following is true of ion distribution (a) repolarisation (b) resting potential
across the axon membrane? (c) action potential (d) hyperpolarisation
(a) Chloride ions are more concentrated inside the axon 31 What will be recorded from a nerve cell, whose
membrane. membrane potential rises above threshold?
(b) Potassium ions are more concentrated outside the cell (a) Action potential
membrane. (b) Local potential
(c) The action potential is the balance point between (c) Downward shift of the threshold of excitation
diffusion and electrostatic pressure. (d) Upward shift of the membrane threshold
(d) Sodium ions are more concentrated outside the axon
32 What is the voltage level at which an action
membrane.
potential is triggered in a patch of axon
23 Which one of the following is true of neural impulses membrane?
in a single neuron? (a) Resting membrane potential
(a) The strength of a neural impulse is the same each time (b) Hyperpolarisation event
the neuron fires. (c) Threshold of excitation
(b) The strength of a neural impulse decreases as the (d) Rate level
strength of the incoming message gets stronger.
33 Which of the following is consistent with the
(c) The strength of a neural impulse increases as the
'all-or-none' law?
strength of the incoming message gets stronger.
(a) The action potential will diminish to near O m V.
(d) The neuron may fire during the absolute refractory
when transmitted down a long axon.
period.
(b) The action potential fires at the sani;;ate ~gardless
24 Which of the following is true regarding the Action of the inputs to the neuron.
Potential (AP)? (c) The action potential is conducted more rapidly down
(a) The AP is conducted along the dendrite. the axon as it reaches the axon terminal.
(b) The AP is conducted faster in unmyelinated nerve cells. (d) The action potential is produced whenever the
(c) The AP is an all-or-none electrical event. membrane potential reaches threshold.
(d) The AP amplitude is higher for an intense signal.
34 Depolarisation of the axon membrane that are
25 As compared to the outside, the inside of a resting below the threshold of activation
neuron is (a) involve activation of the sodium-potassium pump.
(a) slightly negative (b) remain the same size at each point along the
(b) largely negative membrane.
(c) slightly positive (c) are just smaller versions of the action potential.
(d) largely positive (d) decrease in size as they sweep along the membrane.
 UGC tllf Tutor•
210
49 Whal doe& the autonomic: nenoua
36 N.-urotran m1tter11 ar~ referred to 811 body's control?
I n ,r (t,J m ulat ,r
('1 t Noni ,( th1 (a) l,un
(h) If, u1
le N ur ,tr an m1tt«·r ,nn function RH (, ) t-.x•)( rin, 1tnd .. ndocrm• gland
(hi mh1h1tor (,I) All ,if I h• BOOVf
(ell All of 1hr t
50 Which neurotransmitter ill rele&11811 tla
37 Wh,rh Jll'urotr m mllt«•r nr,' Ryntlwtmu•cl from o Hympathct1c nervous sy tern?
1n~h 1m1110 1<1d' fo) 1'.or• r,anc phnn• (b) f,pin, phnne
I (hl M11111111111111· (r) Both n nnd h (dJ 11.()!ll•oftbeee
t I (ii) A, 1 I\ khnlinc•
51 Which neurotransmitter 1s ~ II
38 \\1111 h 1rn111u ,rid 11l'urotrnnHm1lt.t•rf! arP prNwnt in paraAympathetic nervous system?
ttw food Y.t' con. unw? (n) Ac, tylr hohnc• (hJ i-:1tric oxide
\ ( h I Ill ,1 (1,) A pnrtnlt• ,, ) DopnminP monosWe
(d) C:arbon
l (,1' Ill (dl Alloflh,. I'
52 Somatic Nervous system consists of
39 tu 1dt• tlw n:sun-lt•nmnnl, tht•n• an• ,rn·mhrani· la) pinnl n• rv•· and <'.r11n1al nerve
h{lund !':plwrt•s filh·cl w1t.h ncurot.rnnAm>Ut·r. Nam,· (b) omnllr ond sp111al y11tem
(c) sympnthr•tir- and parasympathetic system
of lhl'"P i-plwn•s 1s
(h) f;\'llllpl ll' d,,ft (d) para ympRthctic· and spmal i;yatem
\llljlllt\t irll'
, ' , 11 ,pt 1r "plwrP (dl All t.C lhl't<I' 53 Which cramal spine nerve provide - .
40 \\ h1ch lolw 1s important for processing sensory inncrvatwn to muscle at the base of the ....
mputt- nnd uss1g111ng 1t:- ,•motwnnl mc•nnini:(? (n)r,1 (b)('2,C3 (cJC5 (d)C4
1) Oc('1p1111l lolll' th) T1'111p11rnl lolH• 54 Whut 1s the function of Brachial plexus?
(c\ l'onl't,il \olu• (dl Fronl.il 10111• (a) ;\lotor control
{h) ~lu<-r.ular mncrvat1on
41 Occ1p1tal loht• lwlps m
( ) \:n 111g dov. n mc>m1irll'S (hl s1•ns1iry informal ion Cr) Sensation to oce1pital nerve
(d v1 unl inputs tel) ,\II of thPs<' (cl)~one of the above

42 Which part of the brain is mostly involved in motor 5 5 Which of the following form the lurn!:anlF
control? plexus?
( ) (\ rt•b1•llum (h) Cl•rl'i)l'Urn
<al C5-T1 (b) Cl-C4 (c) CN XI (dJUGN
(c) H\'poth:il:unu::- (d) Basal (fonglin 56 Which of the following statement is falaet
43 Broca's area 1s involved in (a) Sympathetic nervous system is activat,eif.fl-i'
(s) reflex net ton (h) motor movenwnt light or flight situation.
(c) languag<' proc1•::-::-ing (d) involuntary function (b) Autonomic system can be divided into &JEQ 1 e
and parasympathetic.
44 Which nerve fibre joins the left and right (\.') Autonomic nervous system include the--.
hemisphere? (d) Parasympathetic nervous system is acti I , ....
(a) Corpui; callosum (h) M1•dula ohlongata
and digest.
( ) Am~gdala (d) Thalamus
57 Which is the specialised protein
• Hypothalamus secretes a number of located in the axon membrane that
(a) ~urotransm1tter (h) neurohormo1ws
( ) Both a and h (d) None of thesl' close?
(n) Receptor
41 How many spinal nerve enter the spinal cord? (l') Auto receptor
(a) 21 (b)31
( ) to
58 Auton omic nervou s system is a pad
(di 20
(a) Central nervous system
,1 1be autonomic nervous system contains two (b) Peripheral nervous system
branche• called the (c) Somatic nervous system
(a) pm•I n rv, and , ranaal nervl'll (d) None of the above
(b) matu: and pmal ay11tA•m11
59 Which system gets activated
( ) Hympath he and para11ympathet1c 11y11tt'mil
flight' situation?
(d) Paruympath tu and 11pm1tl 1ty11tem•
(R) l'Rrasympathetic nervous
• The word '■pike' 11 used to denote (b) Sympathetic nervous syat.em.
( ) (b) neur,d 1mpul11u (c) Cervical spinal nervous syetelD
) (d) N1 ,,r thust• (d) None of the above
 .,,_,,vous a~d Sensory Systems 277
,a Which system allows the body to function in a 'rest (e) LUN, Ht•lrnn, striatl' ,·ort1•x, pn11111ry viH1111I c·oi-t••x
and digest' state?
(d) RPlmn, lgn, rnfc•1·w1" l<'111por11I rnrt1•x, 11111yl{d1il11
(a) Sympathetw nervous system
(h) }'f,npher~l nervous system 73 Which of the following is tnw of the pnrnut,,,
(cJ Automatic nervous system retina'?
(dJ Parasympathetic Nervous system (a) Th<.>rt' nre th rl'P di ffr•r<'nt. rod t YJl<>H wi I h Ill th,, rc·t 11111
e1 Sensory system consists of (b) 1'hf.' rC'ti na cont ni ns nhout 1>6 d1ffc•rcmt 11<•11rc111 t.ypc•11
(a) 6 ,msory rPCf!ptor (b) neural pathway (c) 'l'hl' rC't rnn cont.nms om• t.ypn of <'<lilt'.
(c) part of hrain (d) All of these (d) Photm•pc•<•pton; d11·pf'l.ly f'orn1 Hy1111psc•H wit.Ii g:i11,:li,,11
cells.
62 Which receptor responds to mechanical pressure?
(a) Mechanoreceptor (b) Chemoreceptor
74 Which of the following is true• of the v1Hual

(c) Thermoreceptor (d) Thermomagnetic receptol'

transduction process'?
(a) In the clnrk, Llw photorP<'l'Jllur rc•l<•1tHc•H at rn11H111itt.1•1
63 Phonoreceptor is sensitive to which organ? thnt inhibits tlw l>1pol11r c·P II .
(a) Merkel's corpuscles (b) Golgi mazzoni (b) Light dC'polnrisos Llw photon•<·c•pt.or.
(c) Free nerve ending (d) Corti of ear
(c) Action potcntinlH nn• rc•Mrdl'cl frolll t Ill' h1pol11r c·<'II
64 Where is the nerve impulse generated in retina? aft.et· light exposure.
(a) Ganglion cell (b) Cornea (d) Action potcnt.inh, 1u•p n•c-ord1•d from Llw photo
(c) Rod and cones (d) All of these receptors aflt• r light. cxpoHllr<'.

65 Which the part of ear helps in hearing? 75 Which of the following is true of the manner in
(a) External ear (b) Middle ear which visual information is carried from retina
(c) Inner ear {d) All of these to be cortex?
(a) Information from Llw Lt•mpornl gn 11glio11 ccd lH
66 Three small bones oscillated after eardrum are projects t.o t.hf.' uppos,t.C' lwmiHplwr1i.
known as
(b) Information from Urn naHul ganglwn cell H proJec·LH to
(a) Cochlea (b) Stapes (c) Ossicles (d) Organ of corti t.hc ipsilateral hemisplwre.
67 Where are nerve impulses generated in the ear? (c) Information from one side of t.lw visua l field JH
{a) Cochlea (b) Stapes transmitted t.o the opposite hemisphere.
(c) Ossicles (d) Organ of corti (cl) Visual informatwn remains on the sa me s ide of the
brain as it movcH from retina t.o cortex.
68 Which is usually detected by skin?
(a) Pressure (b) Temperature 76 The taste buds are formed by
(c) Pain (d) All of these (a) supporting cells
(b) gustatory cells
69 What serves as pressure sense in hairless regions of (c) Both a and b
the body? (d) None of the above
(a) Meissner corpuscles (b) Merkel's corpuscles
(c) Both a and b (d) None of these 77 Consider the following statements
70 Sour taste is the perception of which ion? 1. Neuroplasticity is capacity of neurons and
(a) Na• (b) K+ (c) tt• (d) er neural networks in brain to change their
behaviour is response to sensory
71 What is the correct sequence of events in stimulation.
communicating a stimulus (such as stepping on a
2. Synaptic pruning is responsible for
tack) to another neuron?
(a) Stimulus, electrical impulse, neurotransmitter, receptor
complete elimination of unused synapses.
Which of the above statement is I are correct?
site
{a) Only 1 (h) Only 2
(b) Electrical impulse, receptor site, neurotransmitter,
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) None of these
stimulus
(c) Receptor site, impulse, stimulus, 78 Match the following
electrical
neurotransmitter List I (Neurons) List II (Functions)
(d) Receptor site, stimulus, electrical impulse,
A Cell body Maintain the neuron
neurotransmitter.
B. Dendrites 2. Transmit electrochemical
72 Which of the following is the correct .sequenc~ for information
processing of information in the pnmary v19ual C. An axon
pathway? 3 Transmit chemical 1nformat1on

(a) Retina, dorsal lateral geniculate (lgn), striate cor~ex . D. Terminal synaptic 4. Transmission of neuro
buttons chemical information from one
{b) Retina, s triate cortex, extrastriate cortex, mfenor neuron to other
temproal cortex
72 UCC NET Tutor • psychol

Codes Codes
A B C D (a} 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3
A B C D
2 4 (c) 1 and 3 (d) J\11 of Lh eAc
(a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 1 3
(c) 4 2 1 3 (cl) 3 1 2 4 84 Which of the following pairs is/are correctly
79 Match the following
matched?
1. Ophthalmic Spinal cord
List I (Nervous System) List II (Associated With)
2. Vertebral Eye
A. Central 1. Connects central nervous
system to volunta~ muscles 3. Carotid Neck
B. Somatic 2 Readies body for restoration Codes
of energ_y _ (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (c) Only 3 (d) None of
---
C. Parasympathetic 3. Brain and spinal cord these

Codes 85 Which of the following pairs is/are correctly

A B C A B C mat ched?
(a) 1 2 3 (b) 3 1 2 1. Brain CNS
(c) 3 2 1 (d) 1 3 2 2 . Spinal cord ANS
80 Match the following 3. Neuron Dendrite
------- Codes
____ List I ....:______- ' - - - - - Lis.!_!!_ (E_!fect)__ _
(Neurotransmitter)
(a) Only 1 (b} Only 2
A. Acetylcholine 1 Regulation of mood (c) Only 3 (d) None of these
B Nor-epinephrine 2. Learning and memory
86 Consider the following statements
C. Serotonin 3 Control of alertne~ _
1. In a m yelinated axon, ions enter or leave the
Codes axon membrane only at the node ofranvier.
A B C A B C 2. Vesicle speeds up the velocity, with which
(a) 2 3 1 (b) 2 1 3
an axon can conduct an action potential.
(c) 3 1 2 (d) 3 2 1
Which of the statements given above is I are correct?
81 Match the following (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
List f (Sense Receptor) List II (Function) (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
A. Exteroceptor 1. Info about skeletal muscle 87 Consider the following statements
and joints 1. Visual information from the retina is
2. Info about visceral organs
B. lnteroceptor carried by ganglion cell axons to the
C. Proprioceptor 3 Info about external thalamic dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus.
environment
2. The retino-spinal pathways are important
Codes for the synchronisation of behavioural
A B C A B C D activity to that of the light-dark cycle.
(a) 3 2 1 (b) 3 1 2 Which of the statements given above is I are correct?
(c) 2 3 1 (d) 2 1 3 (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
82 Which of the following pairs is/are correctly (c) Both land 2 (d) None of these
matched? 88 Consider the following statements
1. Central nervous system - Brain 1. Bipolar neurons are the most comroon type
2. Somatic nervous system - Spinal cord in the central nervous system.
3. Para sympathetic nervous - Neural fiber 2. The cell membrane is formed by a dual layer
system of hpid molecule.
Codes Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 (b} 2 and 3 (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
9
(c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) Only 1 (c) Both l and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor~ f
. nPCt 0
83 Which of the following is/are correct? 89 Consider the following statements m res.,--
1. Calcium ion required for release of the glial cells. iJ
11
neurotransmitter 1. They help in regulating neuro
2. Ionotropic receptor involve the direct metabolism.
opening of ion chennal 2. They help in myelinisation.
3. Large myelinated fiber conduct action potential 3 . They help in cell proliferation.
more rapidly 4. They speed up nerve impulse.
 of,,,,,,_,,..,.,....
(1)1,Uadl
( ~ ~ - - --~''•-~-~ -··-.·- ,,,. ctr~
~1odl the followm, lt.._lDtl
eonatder
1. The central nervoua .,...._ _ _ ofbraba. Dlnctiou (Q.Noe. 11-lOO)IA,_.,,.,.......,__
cw ewo .,.,,.._ loWW u ...,....,.._
2. Sptnal cord ts not a part or Cllltral nenoua
1ystem,
.Reuan (BJ. In 1M CMf&d of 1M .,,. ,.at,,
Which oftM 1taument, giuen abow ,.,.,. ..,_,,
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(e) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither l ._ 2
ons (Q. Noa. (91-94) Read the ,,,,._.. IIWen below
and 4 n,wer the followt"B qiu,tton..
.
ns can organise their rate of electrical activity m
. two
ental ways. F 1rst, groups of neurons can fiire .m
. . .
nised oscillations by taking cues from other cells, also
as pacemaker cells or K neurons. Conical neurons also
cues from other brain structure such as the thalamus,
can act as powerful pace maker, even when there is no
sensory input. For example, during non-rapid eye
ent, the thalamus generates rhythmic, self-sustaining
e patterns that prevent organised information from
ng the cortex.
, one's brain is asleep, demonstrating large, rhythmic
waves. Second, nervous may fire in a consistent rhythmic
in response of collective behaviour, such as large group
le clapping in as synchronised way without a cheer
being present.
In bow MJUlY ways neurons can organise their rate
of electrical activity?
(a) One fundamental way (b) Two fundamental way
I(c) Three fundamental way (d) Four fundamental way
a=r~~l-- _..
ll11alcla o,w ofllae (ollou,"'6,. eorndf
da.,,
Codee
(a) Both A ancl R are ll'ue and B • tlle 1111121&
uplanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R ia not the . . . -
explanation of A
(c) A ia true, but R ia fa1,e
(d) A ia falee, but R ia true
95 Auertion (A) The meuage, which the . . . .
receives from other neuron does not ~ aii1
action potential.
Reaaon (R) The neuron recetvea ••--- flea
sensory receptors through eynapeea ta Ma
dendrites and cell body.
96 Auertion (A) Auditory neurona are NMllbe tio
the differences in the arrival Ullll9 of 8D
auditory stimulus.
Reaaon (R) Sound that oceun clindly --•••
will arrive at the right and left ._. ...,._.
time.
97 Auertion (A) Nervous system facllllllt.tfl tllt '.·,.
spread of infectious agents from one
to the other.
Reuon (R) There is free clrculatloa ~
nervous syetem.

-
98 Aaaertion (A) CNS inclwt. die IIPl~tM
jProm which brain structure cortical neuron takes Beuon (R) CNS ts part ofOll,f'.DmrWllll
, •I u? N ANerttoa (A) Neurom ~ •
U8
ntal lobe
or membrane potenu.l ..._llll!IIINI~
Bw(R)'nleylbow
hich period knheJ. . bd.■NDtlle••-

1.-....
ofdle ...........
 @ PREVIOUS YEARS' QU ES TI ON ~
July 2018 7 An i111port.11nt.. litct.o. r which <'nobles one to adapl
(.o illVl'r i.N I VIHIOII 1H
1 Incas (' of visua l stimu lus ·Whl' t'l' p11t.hwny:; in t.lw (II) (H'1t•11lul.w11 (h) 11div<• movoment
(ti) frunw of reforence
brain Un' main ly rt'sponsiblt' for pnil'l 'ssing (I') m•w h•111·11i111:
1. locah on 2. l'olour 8 Which of the following is associated With
3. motion 4. shnp r momory for <'moL1onully charged events?
Code s 2. Hypothalamus
(b) 2 nnci :~
t. 'l'hnl umus
ta) I and 2 4. Temporal lobe
(r) 3 anci -1 (ci) I nnci a 3. Amygdaln
Codes
2 In Yertebrates. myelin is produced in the bruin nnd (11 ) t nnd 2 (h) Only :J (c) 2 nn<l 4 (d) Only 4
spina l cord by .. ....... and in rest of nervous syslom
g Read each of the following two statements
by ....... .. .
Assertion (A) and Reason {R) and indicate your
ta) oligodendrocytes; schwann cells
answ er using codes given below
(b) schwa nn cells; oligodendrocytes
(c) astrocytes: microglia Asse rtion (A) Incre ase in synaptic strength is
(d) microglia: astrocytes due to the simu ltane ous stimulation of pre
synaptic and post synap tic neurons.
3 Read each of the following state ment s Assertion (A)
and Reas on (R) and indicate yow· answ er using code Reas on (R) Long term potentiation can be
given below : induced in the labor atory by stimulating the
Asse rtion (A) Visua l simple reaction time is more pre-synaptic neuro ns with pulses of high
than audit ory simple reaction time. frequency of electricity for few seconds.
Reas on (R) Visua l syste m involves more complex Code s
photo chem ical processes. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct
Code s explanation of A
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
of (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct
A explanation of A
(b) Both A and Rare true, but R is not the correct explan
ation (c) A is true, but R is false
of A (d) A is false, but R is true
(c) A is true, but R is false 10 Which is the correct seque nce of parts of ear
(d) A is false, but R is true throu gh which sound trave ls in the ear?
4 Which of the following sequences describes
the (a) Tymphanic membrane ➔ Stape s ➔ Incus ➔ Malleus
Cran ial Nerves in ascending order? ➔ Cochlea

,a) Optic ➔ Trochlear ➔ AbducJns ➔ Auditory ➔ Vestibular (b) Tymphanic membrane ➔ Incus ➔ Stapes ➔ Malleus
➔ Vagus ➔ Cochlea

(b) Troch lear ➔ Optic ➔ Auditory ➔ Vestibular ➔

Abducens (c) Malleus ➔ Incus ➔ Stape s ➔ Cochlea ➔ Tymphanic
➔ Vagus membrane
(c) Optic ➔Abducens ➔ Trochlear ➔ Vagus ➔ Auditory ➔ (d) Tymphanic membrane ➔ Malleus ➔ Incus ➔ Stape;
Vestib ular ➔ Cochlea

(d) Abducens ➔ Trochlear ➔ Optic ➔ Auditory ➔ Vestib

ular h. h
11 Afferent and effer ent nerve s are found in w ic
➔ Vagus
of the following?
Nov emb er 2017 (a) Symp atheti c Nervous System
(b) Para-S ympa thetic Nervous System
5 In which parts of brain the feeling of hung er and
full
(c) Somatic Nervous Syste m
are felt? (d) Centr al Nervous System
(u) Hypothalamus; Cerebral cortex ed
(hJ Latna l hypothalamus; Ventromedial hypot halam us Janu ary 2017
(I') Lateral hypothalamus; Cerebral cort.ex 12 Netw ork of audit ory pathw ays can be arr8Jlg
(dJ (\·,·« brnl c·orh•x; Ventromediul hypot halam us in which of the following sequence r-
. t 01JI
6 Wher e tB Broca's area located? {a) Auditory Nerve ➔ Cochlear Nuclei ➔ ~upeno~!t?O'~
(11) J• ront11 I 1«,111• (b) Occipital lobe ➔ Latera l Lemin iscus ➔ Inferi or Colhcuh ➔ •
((} [' l l l l tnl lob, (cl) T«•mpornl lobe Geniculate Nuclei ➔ Prima ry Auditory Cortes
 ,vous and Sensory Systems 275

(b) Cochlear ~uclei ~ Auditory Ne~ve ➔ Lateral Leminiscus the consequences of his actions. He must have
~ Supenor Olives ➔ Infenor Colliculi ➔ Medial suffered damage in
Geniculate Nuclei ➔ Primary Auditory Cortex (a) parietal lobe (b) frontal lobe
(c) Auditory Nerve ➔ Cochlear Nuclei ➔ Lateral Leminiscus (c) occipital lobe (d) temporal lobe
~ Inferior Colliculi ➔ Superior Colliculi ➔ Medial
Geniculate Nuclei ➔ Auditory Cortex December 2015
(d) Cochlear Nuclei ➔ Auditory Nerve ➔ Inferior Colliculi ➔ 19 Assertion (A) Action potentials normally travel
Superior Colliculi ➔ Lateral Leminiscus ➔ Medial along axons in one direction.
Geniculate Nuclei-> Auditory Cortex Reason (R) The portions of an ax.on over which
13 Read each of the following two statements Assertion an action potential has just travelled are left
(A) and Reason (R) and indicate your answer using momentarialy refractory.
codes given below Codes
Assertion (A) Patients with amygdala damage are , (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct
unable to recognise fear in other's facial expression. exp! anation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct
Reason (R) Looking at fearful faces activates
explanation of A
amygdala. (c} A is true, but R is false
Codes
(d) A is false, but R is true
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct. explanation of
A
20 In which lobe of the cerebral cortax, the primary
(b) Both A and Rare true, but R is not the correct explanation olfactory cortex lies? )
o!A (a) Frontal lobe (b) mporal lobe
(c) A is true, but R is false (c) Occipital lobe (cl) Parietal lobe
(d) A is false, but R is true 21 Which of the following is the final destination
14 Which of the following are not nuclei of Thalamus? for much of the brain's information about
1. Internal lamina 2. Anterior nucleus emotion before action is taken?
J.a>-Amygdala
3. Ventromedial nucleus
(b) Anterior consulate cortex
4. Paraventricular nucleus (c)\ Pre-frontal cortex
Codes (d) Hypothalamus
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 anc 3 (c) 3 and 4 (d) 1 and 3
June 2015
July 2016
2 1'he parasympathetic nerves project from
1yWhen the action potential reaches the end of the
axon terminals, it causes the release of
(a) an electric spark that sets off the next neuron
(b) positively charged ions that excite the next cell
1 ,; (a) the lumber and thoracic regions of the spinal cord
_)b) the brain and sacral region of the spinal cord
(c) the brain and the lumbar region of the spinal cord
(d) the lumbar and the sacral regions of the spinal cord
(c) negatively charged ions that inhibit the next cell
, (d) neurotransmitters that excite or inhibit the next cell
:? Assertion (A) A synapse does not necessarily
result into action potential in post synaptic
~ange the parts of CNS in ascending order. neuron.
1. Thalamus 2. Medulla oblongata Reason (R) Synapses produce inhibitory post
3. Spinal cord 4. Frontal lobe synaptic potential also in post synaptic neuron.
Codes Co~
(a) 1, 2, 3, 4 (b) 2, 1, 3, 4 ~Both A and R are true and R is the correct
(c) 4 , l, 3 fr3, 2, 1, 4 ~~explanation of A
heightened emotional states, the following ~Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct
ctions are not triggered by sympathetic Nervous explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
ystem activity.
(d) A is false, but R is true
1. Perspiration 2. Heightened pulse rate
December 2014
~y3
3. Digestion 4 . . Pupillary dilation

(b)3and4
-~-
-_24 ,-Assertion (A) A major function of the
~ l, 2 a!)li,3 (d) 1, 3 and 4 perceptual system is to keep the appearance of
met with an accident and later turned into objects, the same inspite of change in the
~pu.1111i1ve, irresponsible and less concerned with stimuli.
 UCC NE T Tut or • Psy cho log
76
em selects Jun e 201 4
Rea son (R) The post erio r brai n syst uce myehn
objects on the basi s of location, shap e or c~l~ur and 27 Whi ch of the following cells do prod
ble for gmd mg the in the Cen tral Ner vou s Sys tem ?
the ante rior syst em is responsi (b) Astr ocyt es
(a) Schw ann cells
process. (d) Oligodendrocytes
(c) Micr oglia
Cod es
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the corre
ct expl anat ion of
28 Aut ono mic Ner vou s Sys tem is
concerned With
A the regu latio n of .... •· ·
(b) Both A and Rare true , but R is not
the corre ct expl anat ion 2. skel etal muscles
1. smo oth mus cles
of A 3. card iac mus cles
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false , but R is true
4. glan ds
bran e is Cod es (8) 1, 2 and 3
25 Dur ing rest ing pote ntia l, cell mem (a) 1 and 2
(d) All of thes e
1. alm ost perm eabl e to sodi um. (c) 1, 3 a nd 4
2. alm ost perm eab le to pota ssiu m. 29 Arr ang e the following in corr
ect sequence
h to
3. alm ost imp erm eabl e to sodium. thro ugh whi ch the sou nd wav es reac
4. alm ost imp erm eabl e to pota ssiu m. rece ptor s.
Cod es 1. Ova l win dow 2. Incu s
(a) 1 and 4 (b) 2 and 3 4. Mal leus
(d) 3 and 4 3. Stap es
(c) 1 and 2
ct the correct 5. Tyro.panic mem bran e
26 Mat ch List I with List II and sele Cod es
n below (b) 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
answ er by choosing from the codes give (a) 5, 4, 2, 3, 1
(c) 5, 4, 1, 3, 2 (d) 5, 3, 2, 4, 1
List I (Parts of Human Brain) List II (Functions)
lied to the
A. Thalamus 1. Plays a special role in 30 Ass erti on (A) A posi tive.> cha rge app
uced
memory insi de of the mem bran e of the neu ron prod
B. Medulla 2. Involved in mediating dep olar isat ion.
e was
emotions
Rea son (R) Insi de of the mem bran
3. Helps in control sleeps posi tive ly cha rged.
C. Hippocampus
and wakefulness
Cod es
is the correct
D. Amygdala 4. Helps the organism to (a) Both A and R are true and R
maintain upright position
expl anat ion of A
(b) Both A and R are true , but R
is not the correct
Codes explanat ion of A
A B C D A B C D
4 1 2 (g) ·4 3 1 2 (c) A is true, but R is false
(a) 3
(c) 4 1 2 3 (d) 1 4 3 2 (d) A is false, b ut R is true

0A NS W ER S
Exam Based Que stio ns 10 (a}
5 (a) 6 (c) 7 (a) 8 (b) 9 (a)
1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4 (b) 20 (di
17 (a) 18 (c) 19 (a)
11 (c)
21 (c)
12 (d)
22 (d)
I 13
23
(a)
(d)
14 (b)
24 (c)
15
25
(c)
(a)
16
26
(d)
(a) 27 (d) 28 (c) 29 (d) 30 (a)
(b)
(a) 36 (d) 37 (b) 38 (a) 39 (a) 40
31 (a) 32 (a) 33 (c) 34 (d) 35 (cl
(b) 46 (b) 47 (c) 48 (b) 49 (d) 50
45
41 (c)
51 (a)
42 (a)
52 (a)
I 43
53
(c)
(a)
44
54 (b)
(a)
55 (d) 56 (c) 57 (d) 58 (b) 59 (b) 60 (di
(c)
66 (c) 67 (a) 68 (d) 69 (a) 70
61 (d) 62 (a) 63 ~ '\
a, 64 (a) 65 (d) (O)
76 (c) 77 (c) 78 (b) 79 (b) 80
71 (a) 72 (a) 73 (c) 74 (d) 75 (c) (O)
86 (a) 87 (a) 88 (b) 89 (d) 90
81 (a) 82 (d) 83 (d) 84 (d) 85 (a) (cl
(b) 96 (b) 97 (b) 98 (b) 99 (b) 100
91 (b) 92 (a) 93 (b) 94 (c) 95

Previous Years Que stio ns

3 (b) 4 (c) 9 (b) 10 (di
5 6 7 8
1
(d)
11 (c)
I 2
12
(a)
(a) 13 (c) 14 (c) 15
(b)
(d) 16
(a)
(d) 17
(b)
(a) 18
(d)
(b) 19 (a) 20
(o)

(b) 24 (b) 30 (d
21 (c) 22 (b) 23 25 (b) 26 (a) 27 (d) 28 (c) 29 (a)