Biology · Neural Control and Coordination · NEET
The somatic neural system is voluntary. It relays impulses from the CNS to skeletal muscles, which are the muscles you move on purpose, like moving your hand or leg. Because you decide to make these movements, the somatic system is called voluntary.
The autonomic neural system transmits impulses from the CNS to the involuntary organs and smooth muscles of the body. Examples are the heart, gut, blood vessels, and glands. You do not control these on purpose, so this system is called involuntary or automatic.
Yes. NCERT states the PNS is divided into two divisions: the somatic neural system and the autonomic neural system. Both are branches of the peripheral neural system, not the central neural system. This is a common NEET point.
The autonomic neural system is further classified into the sympathetic neural system and the parasympathetic neural system. Sympathetic prepares the body for action (like raising heart rate), while parasympathetic calms it down. The somatic system has no such further division.
For NEET at Class 11 level, focus on the NCERT line: the somatic neural system relays impulses from the CNS to skeletal muscles. Both somatic and autonomic pathways are efferent (motor) outputs of the PNS in this classification, so answer based on the target: skeletal muscle = somatic, smooth muscle and viscera = autonomic.
NCERT notes that unmyelinated (non-myelinated) nerve fibres are commonly found in autonomic and somatic neural systems. So both can have non-myelinated fibres. Do not assume only one type is myelinated; match the NCERT wording.
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
The somatic neural system sends impulses from the CNS to skeletal muscles and controls voluntary movements. The autonomic neural system sends impulses to involuntary organs and smooth muscles and controls automatic functions like heartbeat and digestion.
Yes. The autonomic neural system is further classified into the sympathetic neural system and the parasympathetic neural system. The somatic system is not divided this way.
Somatic example: contracting your biceps to lift a book (skeletal muscle, voluntary). Autonomic example: your heart speeding up when you run, controlled without conscious thought (smooth or cardiac muscle and viscera, involuntary).
NEET repeatedly tests the CNS versus PNS split and the somatic versus autonomic division inside the PNS. A single word swap (skeletal versus smooth muscle) can change the correct option, so exact NCERT wording earns easy marks.
