NEET Practice Questions (MCQs) with Answers & Solutions

The swollen structure at the terminal end of each branch of a nerve cell is called a synaptic knob. It contains synaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitters, which are released into the synaptic cleft to transmit the nerve impulse to the next neuron or muscle cell.

Dendrites are the structures on neurons that receive electrical messages. These messages come in two basic forms: excitatory and inhibitory. Dendrites generally transmit nerve impulses only towards the cyton (cell body) of a neuron.

Nerve impulses are self-induced due to the properties of the neuron and its membrane, and they are unidirectional, meaning they travel in one direction from the dendrites to the axon terminal.

The average weight of a human brain is between 1200 to 1400 grams and contains approximately 100 billion neurons. This is a well-established fact in neuroscience.

The meninges are the three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. From the outside (closest to the cranium) to the inside (closest to the CNS), the correct order is: Dura mater, Arachnoid mater, and Pia mater.

The innermost layer of the meninges is the Pia mater. It is thin and highly vascularized, meaning it has a rich supply of blood vessels that provide nutrients and oxygen to the brain and spinal cord.

The Dura mater is the outermost and toughest layer of the meninges. It is thick, durable, and provides the most significant protection to the brain and spinal cord.

The thalamus is the major coordinating center for sensory and motor signals. It acts as a relay station, processing and transmitting information from the sensory receptors to the appropriate areas of the brain.

The hypothalamus has centers that regulate body temperature. It plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis by controlling various autonomic functions, including temperature regulation.