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Coordination and Nervous System in Mammals: JAMB, WAEC & NECO Biology Questions and Practice

This set of objective questions has been created to prepare students for JAMB, WAEC, and NECO examinations. The questions focus on the topic “Coordination and the Nervous System (Hindbrain)”, using the information from mammalian biology regarding organ systems, the nervous system, and the hindbrain structures.

Coordination in complex animals occurs when different organ systems interact and complement each other to maintain homeostasis. Two major communication systems—the nervous system and the hormonal (endocrine) system—work together to achieve this, with the hypothalamus serving as the link between them.

The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The hindbrain, also called the rhombencephalon, comprises the cerebellum, medulla oblongata, and pons Varolii, each playing a key role in maintaining balance, posture, muscular coordination, and involuntary actions such as heartbeat, breathing, and reflexes.

Use this question set to practice your understanding of structure, function, and coordination in mammals, improve reasoning skills, and strengthen exam readiness.

You can also practice – JAMB, WAEC & NECO Biology: 50 Questions on Natural Resources Conservation

Questions

Coordination in mammals is best described as the
- A. control of voluntary actions only
- B. integration of activities of different organs
- C. digestion and absorption of food
- D. transmission of impulses only
The primary aim of coordination in mammals is to maintain
- A. locomotion
- B. homeostasis
- C. respiration
- D. reproduction
Which of the following best explains homeostasis?
- A. Constant body movement
- B. Stable internal conditions despite external changes
- C. Equal functioning of all organs
- D. Continuous energy production
The hypothalamus is important because it
- A. controls reflex actions
- B. links endocrine and nervous systems
- C. regulates voluntary movement
- D. controls vision
Failure of the hypothalamus will directly affect
- A. only nervous activities
- B. only hormonal activities
- C. coordination between nervous and hormonal systems
- D. skeletal movement
The central nervous system comprises the
- A. nerves and receptors
- B. brain and spinal cord
- C. spinal cord and muscles
- D. brain and hormones
The hindbrain can be functionally described as the center for
- A. intelligence and reasoning
- B. voluntary movement only
- C. balance and involuntary control
- D. sensory perception only
Which of the following structures ensures smooth execution of voluntary movement?
- A. Cerebrum
- B. Cerebellum
- C. Medulla oblongata
- D. Spinal cord
A person staggering while walking is likely to have damage in the
- A. cerebrum
- B. medulla
- C. cerebellum
- D. pons
The cerebellum receives impulses directly from the
- A. optic nerves
- B. vestibular apparatus
- C. spinal cord only
- D. hypothalamus
Which statement correctly describes the cerebellum?
- A. Inner grey matter and outer white matter
- B. Outer grey matter and inner white matter
- C. Entirely grey matter
- D. Entirely white matter
The inability to maintain posture is associated with damage to the
- A. medulla
- B. cerebellum
- C. cerebrum
- D. pons
The medulla oblongata is vital because it regulates
- A. thinking processes
- B. voluntary actions
- C. essential life processes
- D. memory storage
Which of the following is NOT controlled by the medulla oblongata?
- A. Heartbeat
- B. Breathing
- C. Walking
- D. Blood pressure
Damage to the medulla oblongata is most likely to result in
- A. loss of balance
- B. immediate death
- C. memory loss
- D. loss of sight
Crossing over of nerve fibres in the medulla implies that
- A. each side controls itself
- B. right brain controls right side
- C. each hemisphere controls opposite side
- D. spinal cord controls both sides
The pons Varolii primarily functions to
- A. initiate impulses
- B. relay impulses between brain parts
- C. control thinking
- D. regulate hormones
The pons acts as a bridge between the
- A. cerebrum and spinal cord only
- B. cerebellum and medulla
- C. endocrine and nervous systems
- D. heart and brain
Which structure is directly responsible for coordinating both sides of the body?
- A. Medulla oblongata
- B. Pons Varolii
- C. Cerebrum
- D. Spinal cord
Reflex actions such as coughing and sneezing are controlled by the
- A. cerebellum
- B. cerebrum
- C. medulla oblongata
- D. hypothalamus
Which of the following actions is least dependent on conscious control?
- A. Writing
- B. Talking
- C. Breathing
- D. Walking
The integration of sensory input and motor output is a function of the
- A. endocrine system
- B. nervous system
- C. circulatory system
- D. respiratory system
The coordination between nervous and hormonal systems ensures
- A. faster digestion
- B. effective body regulation
- C. increased body size
- D. reduced metabolism
Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
- A. Cerebellum — respiration
- B. Medulla — balance
- C. Cerebellum — posture
- D. Pons — digestion
The hindbrain is also referred to as the
- A. mesencephalon
- B. rhombencephalon
- C. telencephalon
- D. diencephalon
The structure that continues into the spinal cord is the
- A. cerebrum
- B. cerebellum
- C. medulla oblongata
- D. pons
Which of the following best explains the role of the cerebellum in movement?
- A. Initiates movement
- B. Coordinates and refines movement
- C. Stops movement
- D. Stores movement
Which of the following is an example of an involuntary action?
- A. Running
- B. Jumping
- C. Blinking
- D. Writing
The nervous system works faster than the endocrine system because it uses
- A. hormones
- B. enzymes
- C. electrical impulses
- D. blood vessels
A well-developed cerebellum in an animal suggests
- A. poor coordination
- B. high intelligence
- C. efficient muscular control
- D. slow response