Coordination and Homeostasis in Body Systems — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptAs you know, the functions of the organs/organ systems in our body must be coordinated to maintain homeostasis. Coordination is the process through which two or more organs interact and complement the functions of one another. For example, when we do physical exercises, the energy demand is increased for maintaining an increased muscular activity. The supply of oxygen is also increased. The increased supply of oxygen necessitates an increase in the rate of respiration, heart beat and increased blood flow via blood vessels. When physical exercise is stopped, the activities of nerves, lungs, heart and kidney gradually return to their normal conditions. Thus, the functions of muscles, lungs, heart, blood vessels, kidney and other organs are coordinated while performing physical exercises. In our body the neural system and the endocrine system jointly coordinate and integrate all the activities of the organs so that they function in a synchronised fashion.
Which of the following statements regarding neural and endocrine coordination are NOT correct? S1: The neural system provides rapid but short-term coordination, whereas the endocrine system offers slower but long-lasting and widespread responses. S2: Neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus directly regulate the anterior pituitary's functions by releasing hormones into a portal circulatory system. S3: Hormones are chemically transmitted along nerve fibers, similar to neurotransmitters, to reach their target cells. S4: The neural and endocrine systems operate completely independently, with no joint coordination or regulatory roles over physiological functions. S5: The classical definition of a hormone encompasses all chemical messengers, including those produced by diffused tissues and acting locally.
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: C — S3, S4 and S5
Let's evaluate each statement: S1: This statement is correct. The NCERT states, 'The neural coordination is fast but short-lived.' It also implies that hormonal regulation is for continuously regulated functions, providing widespread and longer-lasting effects. S2: This statement is correct. The NCERT mentions, 'These hormones [from hypothalamic neurons] reach the pituitary gland through a portal circulatory system and regulate the functions of the anterior pituitary.' S3: This statement is incorrect. Hormones are typically released into the blood and transported to target cells, not transmitted along nerve fibers. Neurotransmitters diffuse across synapses. S4: This statement is incorrect. The NCERT clearly states, 'The neural system and the endocrine system jointly coordinate and regulate the physiological functions in the body.' S5: This statement is incorrect. The classical definition of hormone is 'a chemical produced by endocrine glands and released into the blood and transported to a distantly located target organ'. It does not encompass all chemical messengers or those from diffused tissues and local action, which are covered by the *current* scientific definition. Therefore, statements S3, S4, and S5 are NOT correct. The core concept tested is the differentiation between neural and endocrine coordination, their interaction, and the definition of hormones.
What does NCERT say about As you know functions?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
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Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 176 of the 180 ReNEET 2026 (June 21) questions were already in the MedicNEET question bank before the exam.
176/180MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.