Nervous System Disorders Practice Questions
20 free Nervous System Disorders practice questions for the NCERT Biology. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Parkinson’s disease is primarily characterized by the progressive degeneration of neurons in which specific part of the brain?
- A Hippocampus
- B Cerebellum
- C Substantia nigra
- D Prefrontal cortex
Correct answer: Substantia nigra
Parkinson's disease involves the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, a region within the basal ganglia. These neurons are essential for producing dopamine, which regulates smooth and coordinated voluntary muscle movements.
The deficiency of which neurotransmitter is the hallmark of Parkinson’s disease?
- A Acetylcholine
- B Dopamine
- C Serotonin
- D GABA
Correct answer: Dopamine
A significant drop in dopamine levels leads to the motor symptoms seen in Parkinson’s. Since dopamine acts as a chemical messenger for motor control, its absence results in tremors and rigidity.
Alzheimer’s disease is most notably associated with the deficiency of which neurotransmitter in the brain?
- A Dopamine
- B Glutamate
- C Acetylcholine
- D Norepinephrine
Correct answer: Acetylcholine
In Alzheimer's disease, there is a marked reduction in acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter critical for memory and learning. This deficiency, due to loss of cholinergic neurons, contributes to the cognitive decline and memory loss observed in patients.
Which of the following is a classic motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease?
- A Retrograde amnesia
- B Resting tremors
- C Aphasia
- D Hyperactivity
Correct answer: Resting tremors
Resting tremors, typically described as 'pill-rolling' tremors, are a primary motor sign of Parkinson’s. Other major signs include bradykinesia (slow movement), muscular rigidity, and postural instability.
The accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles is a pathological feature of:
- A Multiple Sclerosis
- B Parkinson's disease
- C Alzheimer's disease
- D Epileptic disorder
Correct answer: Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's is characterized by extracellular amyloid-beta plaques and intracellular tau protein neurofibrillary tangles. These protein aggregates disrupt cell signalling and eventually lead to widespread neuronal death and dementia.
What is the primary early symptom observed in individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease?
- A Progressive loss of motor coordination
- B Difficulty forming new short-term memories
- C Persistent visual hallucinations
- D Slurred and impaired speech
Correct answer: Difficulty forming new short-term memories
The earliest sign of Alzheimer's is usually short-term memory loss or difficulty in forming new memories. This occurs because the hippocampus, the area responsible for forming new memories, is among the first brain regions affected.
The 'shuffling gait' and 'mask-like face' are diagnostic physical signs associated with:
- A Alzheimer’s disease
- B Meningitis
- C Parkinson’s disease
- D Huntington's chorea
Correct answer: Parkinson’s disease
A shuffling gait (small steps) and a lack of facial expression (masked facies) result from the rigidity and bradykinesia caused by Parkinson’s. These symptoms reflect the loss of fine motor control regulated by the basal ganglia.
Which protein is responsible for forming the 'neurofibrillary tangles' inside neurons in Alzheimer’s patients?
- A Alpha-synuclein
- B Tau protein
- C Hemoglobin
- D Myosin
Correct answer: Tau protein
In Alzheimer’s, tau proteins, which normally stabilize microtubules, undergo abnormal phosphorylation. This causes them to collapse into tangles, disrupting the transport system within the neuron.
Lewy bodies, which are abnormal aggregates of alpha-synuclein protein, are found in the neurons of patients with:
- A Parkinson’s disease
- B Alzheimer’s disease
- C Schizophrenia
- D Poliomyelitis
Correct answer: Parkinson’s disease
Lewy bodies are the pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. These protein clumps develop inside the nerve cells and are associated with neuronal degradation in the substantia nigra.
Bradykinesia, a term used in the context of Parkinson's, refers to:
- A Increased heart rate
- B Slowness of movement
- C Loss of appetite
- D Rapid eye movement
Correct answer: Slowness of movement
Bradykinesia is one of the cardinal symptoms of Parkinson's disease, characterised by slowness in initiating and carrying out voluntary movements. It makes simple daily tasks, such as buttoning a shirt or walking, increasingly difficult.
Alzheimer’s disease leads to the atrophy of which specific brain region first?
- A Cerebellum
- B Hippocampus
- C Hypothalamus
- D Prefrontal cortex
Correct answer: Hippocampus
The hippocampus is one of the first regions of the brain to suffer damage in Alzheimer's disease. This explains why memory loss and spatial disorientation are among the earliest clinical manifestations.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Parkinson's disease?
- A Postural instability
- B Rigidity
- C Progressive dementia in the late stages
- D Excessive production of dopamine
Correct answer: Excessive production of dopamine
Parkinson's is caused by a deficiency, not an excess, of dopamine. Treatment often involves Levodopa (L-Dopa), which is a precursor that the brain converts into dopamine.
In the context of Alzheimer’s, 'plaques' are found ______ the neurons, while 'tangles' are found ______ the neurons.
- A Inside; Outside
- B Outside; Inside
- C Inside; Inside
- D Outside; Outside
Correct answer: Outside; Inside
Amyloid plaques are extracellular deposits found in the spaces between nerve cells. Neurofibrillary tangles are intracellular, forming inside the dying neurons.
The risk of developing both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease increases significantly with:
- A Stress
- B Advanced age
- C Viral infections
- D Excessive physical activity
Correct answer: Advanced age
Age is the single greatest risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders. Both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's predominantly affect the elderly population as neurons naturally undergo wear and tear over time.
Which of the following describes the nature of both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease?
- A Acute and reversible
- B Infectious and contagious
- C Chronic and progressive
- D Congenital and non-progressive
Correct answer: Chronic and progressive
These are chronic, progressive neurodegenerative diseases. This means they persist over a long period and the symptoms worsen over time as more neurons die.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a surgical treatment sometimes used to manage the symptoms of:
- A Alzheimer’s disease
- B Parkinson’s disease
- C Night blindness
- D Cerebral malaria
Correct answer: Parkinson’s disease
DBS involves implanting electrodes in specific brain areas to send electrical impulses that help regulate abnormal impulses. It is specifically used to treat motor symptoms in Parkinson's that do not respond well to medication.
Loss of the sense of smell (anosmia) is often an early, overlooked warning sign of:
- A Multiple sclerosis
- B Parkinson's disease
- C Alzheimer's disease
- D Huntington's disease
Correct answer: Parkinson's disease
Loss of smell (anosmia) is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease that can appear years before motor symptoms like tremors. It occurs due to early involvement of the olfactory bulb in the disease process.
Which part of the nervous system is primarily affected in these neurodegenerative disorders?
- A Peripheral Nervous System
- B Central Nervous System
- C Autonomic Nervous System
- D Enteric Nervous System
Correct answer: Central Nervous System
Both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are disorders of the Central Nervous System (CNS), as they involve the death of neurons located in the brain and spinal cord.
Dementia is a broad term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. What is the most common cause of dementia?
- A Parkinson's disease
- B Vascular dementia
- C Alzheimer's disease
- D Traumatic brain injury
Correct answer: Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease accounts for an estimated 60–80% of dementia cases worldwide. It progressively destroys cognitive functions such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning.
The use of L-Dopa (Levodopa) in Parkinson's therapy is based on the fact that:
- A It inhibits acetylcholine
- B It can cross the blood-brain barrier
- C It directly stimulates muscle fibers
- D It prevents amyloid plaque formation
Correct answer: It can cross the blood-brain barrier
Dopamine itself cannot cross the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain. L-Dopa is a precursor that can cross the barrier and is then converted into dopamine by the enzyme DOPA decarboxylase.