NEET ZoologyUpdated 19 Oct 2026

Neural Control and Coordination: NEET PYQs and weightage

Neural Control and Coordination carries 3.2 of 100 Zoology marks in NEET by past-paper share: 21 of the 648 tagged NEET Zoology PYQs in the ViJEEta bank (NEET 2013–2026). It ranks 16 of 17 Zoology chapters.

Removed from NEET in this chapter: Sensory receptors, Eye, Ear. Still in NCERT and school exams, not asked in NEET now.

Take the 25-question Neural Control and Coordination test Key facts ↓All NEET Zoology chapters

3.2/100 Weight in Zoology

Exam importance (3/5, by past-paper share)

21 NEET PYQs

396 Practice questions

256 With measured difficulty

How the weight is computed: this chapter's tagged NEET PYQs divided by all tagged NEET Zoology PYQs in the bank (21 of 648), times 100, with repeated questions counted once. The bank does not store the year of each NEET question, so none is printed. Computed from the bank at build time. Updated 19 Oct 2026.

Neural Control and Coordination: key facts for NEET

16 facts the paper keeps asking, each with how it is asked. Copy it onto one page of your notebook: that page is this chapter's handbook.

Neural organisation across animals
Hydra has only a network of neurons; insects have a brain plus ganglia; vertebrates have the most developed neural system.
Asked as: "Neural system in Hydra is made of…" (network of neurons, no brain)
CNS, PNS, afferent and efferent fibres
CNS = brain + spinal cord, where information is processed and controlled; PNS = all nerves linked to the CNS. Afferent fibres carry impulses to the CNS, efferent fibres carry them from the CNS.
Asked as: match afferent/efferent with direction (tissue $\to$ CNS / CNS $\to$ tissue)
Somatic, autonomic and visceral systems
Somatic neural system $\to$ skeletal muscles; autonomic neural system $\to$ involuntary organs and smooth muscles, split into sympathetic and parasympathetic. The visceral nervous system (nerves, fibres, ganglia, plexuses carrying impulses both ways between CNS and viscera) is part of the PNS, not the CNS.
Asked as: "Which of these is NOT part of the CNS?" (visceral nervous system) / "Impulses from CNS to smooth muscles go via…" (autonomic)
Structure of a neuron
A neuron has a cell body, dendrites and an axon. Nissl's granules are in the cell body and dendrites, not in the axon. Dendrites carry impulses towards the cell body; the axon carries them away, and its branches end in synaptic knobs whose synaptic vesicles hold neurotransmitters.
Asked as: "Nissl's granules are absent in…" (axon) / "Vesicles with neurotransmitters are found in…" (synaptic knob)
Types of neurons
Multipolar neurons (1 axon, $\geq 2$ dendrites) are in the cerebral cortex. Bipolar neurons (1 axon, 1 dendrite) are in the retina. Unipolar neurons (cell body with axon only) occur usually in the embryonic stage.
Asked as: match the neuron type with its location
Myelinated and unmyelinated fibres
Myelinated fibre: Schwann cells form a myelin sheath, and the gaps between adjacent sheaths are the nodes of Ranvier; found in spinal and cranial nerves. Unmyelinated fibre: the Schwann cell forms no sheath; common in the autonomic and somatic neural systems.
Asked as: "Gaps between adjacent myelin sheaths are…" / where each fibre type is found
Resting potential
At rest, the axon membrane is more permeable to $K^{+}$ , nearly impermeable to $N a^{+}$ , and impermeable to the negative proteins inside. So the axoplasm is high in $K^{+}$ and low in $N a^{+}$ , the outside fluid the reverse. The $N a^{+}$ – $K^{+}$ pump keeps these gradients by sending $3 N a^{+}$ out for every $2 K^{+}$ in. Outside becomes positive, inside negative (polarised); this potential difference is the resting potential.
Asked as: "At rest the axonal membrane is more permeable to…" ( $K^{+}$ ) / "The pump transports…" ( $3 N a^{+}$ out : $2 K^{+}$ in)
Depolarisation and action potential
A stimulus makes the membrane at that site freely permeable to $N a^{+}$ . Rapid $N a^{+}$ influx reverses the polarity (outside $-$ , inside $+$ ), which is depolarisation. The potential at that site is the action potential, i.e. the nerve impulse.
Asked as: "Depolarisation is due to rapid influx of…" ( $N a^{+}$ )
Impulse conduction and repolarisation
Current flows on the inner surface from the excited site A to the next site B, and on the outer surface from B to A, so the impulse moves along the axon. The $N a^{+}$ rise is very short-lived; $K^{+}$ permeability then rises, $K^{+}$ diffuses out and the resting potential returns (repolarisation).
Asked as: "Resting potential is restored by…" ( $K^{+}$ diffusing out) / direction of current inside vs outside
Electrical and chemical synapses
At an electrical synapse, the membranes are very close and current passes directly; it is always faster than a chemical synapse and rare in our body. At a chemical synapse, vesicles fuse with the membrane and release neurotransmitters into a fluid-filled synaptic cleft; they bind receptors on the post-synaptic membrane, open ion channels and create an excitatory or inhibitory potential.
Asked as: true/false on electrical vs chemical synapse (speed, rarity, cleft, where receptors sit)
Cranial meninges
The cranial meninges, from outside in, are dura mater, arachnoid (very thin, middle) and pia mater (in contact with brain tissue).
Asked as: "Innermost meninx in contact with brain tissue is…" (pia mater)
Forebrain and cerebrum
The forebrain = cerebrum + thalamus + hypothalamus. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, and its two hemispheres are joined by the corpus callosum. The cortex is grey matter (neuron cell bodies); the inner part is white matter (myelinated tracts). Association areas handle intersensory associations, memory and communication.
Asked as: "Cerebral hemispheres are connected by…" / why the cortex is grey
Thalamus and hypothalamus
The thalamus, wrapped by the cerebrum, is a major coordinating centre for sensory and motor signalling. The hypothalamus, at its base, has centres for body temperature and the urge to eat and drink, and neurosecretory cells that secrete hypothalamic hormones.
Asked as: "Centre for thermoregulation, hunger and thirst is…" (hypothalamus)
Limbic system
The limbic system = inner parts of the cerebral hemispheres + deep structures (amygdala, hippocampus etc.). With the hypothalamus it regulates sexual behaviour, emotional reactions (excitement, pleasure, rage, fear) and motivation; it is also concerned with olfaction and autonomic responses.
Asked as: match limbic system / hypothalamus with emotions, sexual behaviour, motivation
Midbrain
The midbrain lies between the thalamus/hypothalamus and the pons. The cerebral aqueduct passes through it, and its dorsal side bears four lobes, the corpora quadrigemina. It receives and integrates visual, tactile and auditory inputs.
Asked as: "Corpora quadrigemina are part of…" (midbrain)
Hindbrain
The hindbrain = pons (fibre tracts linking brain regions) + cerebellum (very convoluted to give space for more neurons; integrates input from the semicircular canals and auditory system) + medulla (joined to the spinal cord; centres for respiration, cardiovascular reflexes, gastric secretions).
Asked as: "Centre controlling respiration and cardiovascular reflexes is in…" (medulla)

Trap

The brain stem is midbrain + pons + medulla oblongata. The cerebellum belongs to the hindbrain but is NOT part of the brain stem, and the cerebrum is never part of it.

How does NEET ask Neural Control and Coordination?

8 real previous-year questions from this chapter, as printed in the paper, each with its worked solution. Answer the first one here with no sign-in.

Q1ZoologyNEET UG PYQTransmission of Impulse

Try right here · No sign-in

Select the incorrect statement regarding synapses :

Answer key (D) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option D

A nerve impulse is transmitted from one neuron to another through junctions called synapses. There are two types of synapses, namely, electrical synapses and chemical synapses. Transmission of an impulse across electrical synapses is very similar to impulse conduction along a single axon. Impulse transmission across an electrical synapse is always faster than that across a chemical synapse.

Q2ZoologyNEET UG PYQTransmission of Impulse

The specific receptors for neurotransmitters in a synapse are present on _____.

APost-synaptic membrane

BPre-synaptic membrane

CMyelin sheath

DSchwann cell

Answer key (A) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option A

The specific receptors for neurotransmitters in a synapse are present on post-synaptic membrane.

Q3ZoologyNEET UG PYQBrain 1 - Meninges, Forebrain

The parts of human brain that helps in regulation of sexual behaviour, expression of excitement, pleasure, rage, fear, etc., are

ACorpora quadrigemina and hippocampus

BBrain stem and epithalamus

CCorpus callosum and thalamus

DLimbic system and hypothalamus

Answer key (D) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option D

The inner parts of cerebral hemispheres and a group of associated deep structures like amygdala, hippocampus, etc., form a complex structure called the limbic lobe or limbic system. Along with the hypothalamus, it is involved in the regulation of sexual behaviour, expression of emotional reactions (e.g., excitement, pleasure, rage and fear), and motivation.

Q4ZoologyNEET UG PYQTransmission of Impulse

Receptor sites for neurotransmitters are present on

ATips of axons

BPost-synaptic membrane

CMembranes of synaptic vesicles

DPre-synaptic membrane

Answer key (B) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option B

Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that help to transfer the nerve signal from one neuron to the other during chemical synapse. The receptor sites for neurotransmitters are present on the post-synaptic membrane. The pre-synaptic membrane is involved in the release of neurotransmitters in the chemical synapse.

Q5ZoologyNEET UG PYQNeural System

Destruction of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord would result in loss of:

ASensory impulses

BVoluntary motor impulses

CCommissural impulses

DIntegrating impulses

Answer key (B) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option B

Destruction of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord would result in loss of voluntary motor impulses because the anterior horn cells contain motor neurons that affect the axial muscles.

Q6ZoologyNEET UG PYQBrain 2 - Midbrain, Hindbrain

Match List I with List II: List IList IIA. PonsI. Provides additional space for Neurons, regulates posture and balanceB. HypothalamusII. Controls respiration and gastric secretionsC. MedullaIII. Connects different regions of the brainD. CerebellumIV. Neuro secretory cells Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

AA-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I

BA-I, B-III, C-II, D-IV

CA-II, B-I, C-III, D-IV

DA-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV

Answer key (A) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option A

Pons - connects different regions Hypothalamus - Neurosecretory cells Medulla - Respiration and gastric secretion Cerebellum - Regulates Posture and balance

Q7ZoologyNEET UG PYQEye

In mammalian eye, the 'fovea' is the center of the visual field, where

AHigh density of cones occur, but has no rods.

BThe optic nerve leaves the eye.

COnly rods are present.

DMore rods than cones are found.

Answer key (A) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option A

In the mammalian eye, the fovea is a thinned-out portion of the retina where only the cones are densely packed and the visual acuity (resolution) is the greatest. It does not have rods.

Q8ZoologyNEET UG PYQSensory receptors

Good vision depends on adequate intake of carotene-rich food. Select the best option from the following statements (a) Vitamin A derivatives are formed from carotene (b) The photopigments are embedded in the membrane discs of the inner segment (c) Retinal is a derivative of vitamin A. (d) Retinal is a light-absorbing part of all the visual photopigments

A(a) and (c)

B(b), (c) and (d)

C(a) and (b)

D(a), (c) and (d)

Answer key (D) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option D

Carotene is the source of retinal which is involved in the formation of rhodopsin of rod cells. Retinal, a derivative of vitamin A, is the light-absorbing part of all visual photopigments. It is necessary for the production of retinal, a component of rhodopsin. Vitamin A is necessary for the production of retinal, a component of rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is required for sensing dim light.

Which topics in Neural Control and Coordination carry the most questions?

All 9 topics, by tagged PYQs, then practice questions. Counted from the bank. Updated 19 Oct 2026.

Topic	PYQs	Practice questions
Brain 1 - Meninges, Forebrain	6	79
EyeNot in NEET now	5	25
Transmission of Impulse	4	41
Neural System	3	111
Brain 2 - Midbrain, Hindbrain	1	56
EarNot in NEET now	1	21
Sensory receptorsNot in NEET now	1	3
Generation and Conduction of Impulse	0	49
Miscellaneous Examples	0	11

Why does Neural Control and Coordination show "–" until you answer 3 questions?

Unknown is not zero. Until you answer at least 3 graded questions in Neural Control and Coordination, ViJEEta shows – instead of a zero or a 50% default. Book exercises can raise chapter mastery up to 0.60, adaptive practice up to 0.75, and only a timed chapter test or mock can certify 0.80 and above.

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What happens when you test Neural Control and Coordination?

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Chapters either side of Neural Control and Coordination by weight

Microbes in Human Welfare Weight 3.9/100 Digestion and Absorption Weight 3.4/100 Excretory Products and Their Elimination Weight 3.1/100

Neural Control and Coordination: NEET PYQs and weightage

Neural Control and Coordination: key facts for NEET

Neural organisation across animals

CNS, PNS, afferent and efferent fibres

Somatic, autonomic and visceral systems

Structure of a neuron

Types of neurons

Myelinated and unmyelinated fibres

Resting potential

Depolarisation and action potential

Impulse conduction and repolarisation

Electrical and chemical synapses

Cranial meninges

Forebrain and cerebrum

Thalamus and hypothalamus

Limbic system

Midbrain

Hindbrain

How does NEET ask Neural Control and Coordination?

Which topics in Neural Control and Coordination carry the most questions?

Why does Neural Control and Coordination show "–" until you answer 3 questions?

What happens when you test Neural Control and Coordination?

Chapters either side of Neural Control and Coordination by weight