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Locomotion and Movement: questions with answers

Class 11 Biology, Chapter 17 (NCERT). 15 questions by concept, 4 with pictures. Open “Show answer” for the answer and why.

How to teach this chapter · Common misconceptions & worked visual for this chapter

Movement, locomotion and types of muscular tissue

Question 1

Which complete set correctly matches both cellular movement and the three muscle types?

  1. (a)Leucocyte—amoeboid; trachea—ciliary; skeletal—smooth involuntary; visceral—nonstriated involuntary; cardiac—branched involuntary
  2. (b)Leucocyte—amoeboid; trachea—ciliary; skeletal—striated voluntary; visceral—nonstriated involuntary; cardiac—unbranched voluntary
  3. (c)Leucocyte—ciliary; trachea—amoeboid; skeletal—striated voluntary; visceral—nonstriated involuntary; cardiac—branched involuntary
  4. (d)Leucocyte—amoeboid; trachea—ciliary; skeletal muscle—striated voluntary; visceral muscle—nonstriated involuntary; cardiac muscle—branched striated involuntary
Show answer

(d) Leucocyte—amoeboid; trachea—ciliary; skeletal muscle—striated voluntary; visceral muscle—nonstriated involuntary; cardiac muscle—branched striated involuntary

Pseudopodia support amoeboid movement in leucocytes, whereas cilia move material along epithelia. The muscle profiles are distinguished by appearance, location and regulation.

Question 2

A learner records these movement and muscle descriptions. Which set of corrections fixes every row?

ExampleLearner’s account
LeucocytesCiliary movement
Tracheal epitheliumAmoeboid movement
Skeletal muscleSmooth and involuntary
Cardiac muscleUnbranched and voluntary
  1. (a)Leucocyte—amoeboid; trachea—ciliary; skeletal—smooth involuntary; cardiac—branched involuntary
  2. (b)Leucocyte—amoeboid; trachea—ciliary; skeletal—striated voluntary; cardiac—unbranched voluntary
  3. (c)Leucocyte—amoeboid; trachea—ciliary; skeletal—striated voluntary; cardiac—branched striated involuntary
  4. (d)Leucocyte—ciliary; trachea—amoeboid; skeletal—striated voluntary; cardiac—branched involuntary
Show answer

(c) Leucocyte—amoeboid; trachea—ciliary; skeletal—striated voluntary; cardiac—branched striated involuntary

The repair restores pseudopodia to leucocytes, cilia to tracheal epithelium, voluntary striation to skeletal muscle, and involuntary branching striation to cardiac muscle.

Structure / cellCorrect movement or muscle type
LeucocyteAmoeboid movement using pseudopodia
Tracheal epitheliumCiliary movement of mucus
Skeletal muscleStriated, generally voluntary
Cardiac muscleBranched, striated, involuntary

Skeletal-muscle organisation and sarcomere bands

Question 3

In a neutral sarcomere redraw, ? marks the central thick-only part of the A band. Which complete account is correct?

?
  1. (a)? is the H zone, which contains thick but not thin filaments; a sarcomere is Z-to-Z.
  2. (b)The I band contains myosin, while the A band contains only actin.
  3. (c)A sarcomere extends from one M line to the next.
  4. (d)The H zone is the region where thick and thin filaments overlap.
Show answer

(a) ? is the H zone, which contains thick but not thin filaments; a sarcomere is Z-to-Z.

? is the H zone, which contains thick but not thin filaments; a sarcomere is Z-to-Z.

Question 4

Which comparison correctly distinguishes the I band, A band, H zone and sarcomere boundary?

  1. (a)I band: thin only; A band: thick span; H zone: thick only; sarcomere: M-to-M
  2. (b)I band: thin filaments; A band: full thick-filament length with overlap outside the H zone; H zone: thick only; sarcomere: Z line to Z line
  3. (c)I band: myosin; A band: actin only; H zone: thick only; sarcomere: Z-to-Z
  4. (d)I band: thin only; A band: thick span; H zone: thick-and-thin overlap; sarcomere: Z-to-Z
Show answer

(b) I band: thin filaments; A band: full thick-filament length with overlap outside the H zone; H zone: thick only; sarcomere: Z line to Z line

The I band is thin-filament-only, the A band follows the thick filament span, and its central H zone lacks thin filaments. Z lines bound the sarcomere.

Sliding-filament contraction, relaxation and muscle-fibre energetics

Question 5

Which complete comparison correctly links fibre profiles, contraction bands and relaxation?

  1. (a)Red—myoglobin-rich, many mitochondria, aerobic; white—little myoglobin, fewer mitochondria, abundant sarcoplasmic reticulum, more anaerobic; relaxation—calcium is pumped back while A-band length stays constant
  2. (b)White fibres have more myoglobin and mitochondria and depend mainly on aerobic metabolism.
  3. (c)Relaxation requires calcium to remain high in sarcoplasm; red fibres are myoglobin-rich.
  4. (d)The A band shortens during contraction; red and white profiles are otherwise unchanged.
Show answer

(a) Red—myoglobin-rich, many mitochondria, aerobic; white—little myoglobin, fewer mitochondria, abundant sarcoplasmic reticulum, more anaerobic; relaxation—calcium is pumped back while A-band length stays constant

Red fibres contain abundant myoglobin and mitochondria and use aerobic metabolism. White fibres contain little myoglobin, fewer mitochondria and more sarcoplasmic reticulum, with greater anaerobic dependence. Relaxation follows calcium return to the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Question 6

Which molecule and role correctly explain both the exposure of actin sites and the detachment of a cross bridge?

  1. (a)Calcium—hydrolyses ATP on actin; new ATP—detaches the bridge
  2. (b)Acetylcholine—hydrolyses ATP; calcium—forms the permanent cross bridge
  3. (c)Calcium—binds troponin to expose actin sites; new ATP—binds myosin to detach the bridge
  4. (d)Calcium—binds troponin; new ATP—locks and preserves the cross bridge
Show answer

(c) Calcium—binds troponin to expose actin sites; new ATP—binds myosin to detach the bridge

Calcium binds troponin and exposes sites. A fresh ATP then binds myosin to break the bridge; myosin-head ATPase hydrolyses ATP and re-energises the head.

Actin, myosin and regulatory contractile proteins

Question 7

A table labels the globular head as LMM, the tail as the ATPase cross arm, and the head as able to bind ATP but not actin. Which replacement repairs every row?

Parts referred to in the tableA textbook-style single myosin unit showing a globular head and long tail. No HMM/LMM identities, cross-arm bracket or binding/ATPase roles are supplied. QUESTION DIAGRAM Parts referred to in the table Unassigned structure · audit the table using your knowledge Globular head Tail
  1. (a)Head plus short arm—HMM; tail—ATPase cross arm; head—ATP- and actin-binding sites
  2. (b)Head plus short arm—HMM; tail—LMM; head—ATPase that binds ATP but not actin
  3. (c)Globular head plus short arm—HMM cross arm; tail—LMM; head—ATPase with ATP- and actin-binding sites
  4. (d)Globular head—LMM; tail—LMM; head—ATPase with ATP- and actin-binding sites
Show answer

(c) Globular head plus short arm—HMM cross arm; tail—LMM; head—ATPase with ATP- and actin-binding sites

The projecting globular head and short arm form the heavy-meromyosin (HMM) portion in the textbook model. The tail is the light-meromyosin (LMM) portion. The head binds both actin and ATP and has ATPase activity, allowing it to use ATP during the cross-bridge cycle.

Question 8

A neutral thin-filament redraw marks one regularly spaced regulatory complex with ?. Which complete assembly-and-regulation account is correct?

?
  1. (a)F-actin is one monomer, whereas G-actin is the long polymer.
  2. (b)? is troponin; at rest one troponin subunit helps mask myosin-binding sites on actin.
  3. (c)Tropomyosin masks actin sites by itself, and troponin has no regulatory role.
  4. (d)Troponin is the ATPase head of the thick filament.
Show answer

(b) ? is troponin; at rest one troponin subunit helps mask myosin-binding sites on actin.

? is troponin; at rest one troponin subunit helps mask myosin-binding sites on actin.

Axial skeleton: skull, vertebral column, sternum and ribs

Question 9

A record describes 26 adult vertebral units, rib pairs 8–10 joining rib 7 through cartilage, and the final two rib pairs lacking ventral attachment. Which interpretation is correct?

Rib attachments in the recordA partial front-view map shows pairs 7–10 in one group and the final two pairs separately, without assigning numbers to the final pairs or asserting that the groups are consecutive. Pairs 8–10 join pair-7 cartilage; the final two have no front attachment. No rib categories, total count or vertebral-region counts are given. QUESTION DIAGRAM Rib attachments in the record Only the stated attachment groups are shown 7 8 9 10 Final two Cartilage of pair 7 Separate groups · no total rib-pair count supplied
  1. (a)All 26 vertebral units are unfused, while the rib interpretation is unchanged.
  2. (b)Pairs 8–10 are directly attached to the sternum, while pairs 11–12 are floating.
  3. (c)The column includes fused sacral and coccygeal units, and the rib cage has 12 pairs with 8–10 vertebrochondral and 11–12 floating.
  4. (d)Pair 11 is the only floating pair because humans have only 11 rib pairs.
Show answer

(c) The column includes fused sacral and coccygeal units, and the rib cage has 12 pairs with 8–10 vertebrochondral and 11–12 floating.

The sacral and coccygeal entries in the 26-unit adult column are fused units. The described ribs are vertebrochondral pairs 8–10 and floating pairs 11–12 within a total of 12 pairs.

Question 10

A learner’s table describes the adult human skeleton as follows. Which replacement repairs every row?

FeatureLearner’s entry
Vertebral units26, none fused
Ribs11 pairs
Pairs 8–10Directly attached to the sternum
  1. (a)26 units with fused sacral and coccygeal entries; 12 rib pairs; pairs 8–10 join rib 7
  2. (b)26 units that are not fused; 12 rib pairs; pairs 8–10 join rib 7
  3. (c)26 units with fused sacral and coccygeal entries; 11 rib pairs; pairs 8–10 join rib 7
  4. (d)26 units with fused sacral and coccygeal entries; 12 rib pairs; pairs 8–10 attach directly to sternum
Show answer

(a) 26 units with fused sacral and coccygeal entries; 12 rib pairs; pairs 8–10 join rib 7

The 26 adult vertebral units include fused sacral and coccygeal units. There are 12 rib pairs, and pairs 8–10 join rib 7 through cartilage instead of reaching the sternum directly.

FeatureCorrect adult-human account
Vertebral units counted as 26Includes fused sacrum and coccyx
Rib pairs12
Rib pairs 8–10Attach indirectly through cartilage joining rib 7

Appendicular skeleton, limb bones and girdles

Question 11

Which comparison of an upper limb and a lower limb is complete and correct?

  1. (a)Upper includes a patella at the elbow; lower lacks a patella, with other listed bones unchanged.
  2. (b)Upper and lower each contain 8 carpals or tarsals, with the other listed bones unchanged.
  3. (c)Upper: humerus, radius, ulna, 8 carpals, 5 metacarpals, 14 phalanges; lower: femur, tibia, fibula, 7 tarsals, 5 metatarsals, 14 phalanges and patella
  4. (d)Upper contains femur, tibia and fibula; lower contains humerus, radius and ulna.
Show answer

(c) Upper: humerus, radius, ulna, 8 carpals, 5 metacarpals, 14 phalanges; lower: femur, tibia, fibula, 7 tarsals, 5 metatarsals, 14 phalanges and patella

The upper limb has humerus, radius, ulna, 8 carpals, 5 metacarpals and 14 phalanges. The lower limb has femur, tibia, fibula, 7 tarsals, 5 metatarsals, 14 phalanges and a patella; each totals 30 bones.

Question 12

What are the component bones and limb-bone sockets in one half of the pectoral and pelvic girdles?

  1. (a)Pectoral: ilium + ischium + pubis, glenoid–humerus; pelvic: clavicle + scapula, acetabulum–femur
  2. (b)Pectoral: clavicle + scapula, glenoid–humerus; pelvic: ilium + ischium + pubis, acetabulum–femur
  3. (c)Pectoral: clavicle + scapula, glenoid–femur; pelvic: ilium + ischium + pubis, acetabulum–humerus
  4. (d)Pectoral: clavicle + scapula, glenoid–humerus; pelvic: ilium + ischium + pubis, acromion–femur
Show answer

(b) Pectoral: clavicle + scapula, glenoid–humerus; pelvic: ilium + ischium + pubis, acetabulum–femur

Each pectoral half has a clavicle and scapula; the glenoid cavity receives the humerus. Each pelvic half contains fused ilium, ischium and pubis; the acetabulum receives the femur. The acromion is a scapular projection that articulates with the clavicle.

Joint types, mobility and anatomical examples

Question 13

A chart gives the joint descriptions below. Which correction fixes both rows?

Joint typeLearner’s description
FibrousAllows considerable movement
CartilaginousContains a fluid-filled synovial cavity
  1. (a)Fibrous skull sutures—no movement with dense fibrous tissue; cartilaginous—limited movement with cartilage; synovial—considerable movement with a fluid-filled cavity
  2. (b)Fibrous skull sutures—considerable movement with dense fibrous tissue; cartilaginous—limited movement with cartilage; synovial—no movement
  3. (c)Fibrous skull sutures—no movement; cartilaginous—limited movement with a synovial cavity; synovial—considerable movement with cartilage
  4. (d)Fibrous skull sutures—limited movement with cartilage; cartilaginous—no movement with dense fibrous tissue; synovial—considerable movement without a cavity
Show answer

(a) Fibrous skull sutures—no movement with dense fibrous tissue; cartilaginous—limited movement with cartilage; synovial—considerable movement with a fluid-filled cavity

In the specified examples, fibrous skull sutures use dense fibrous connective tissue and allow no movement. Cartilaginous joints unite bones through cartilage and permit limited movement. Synovial joints have a fluid-filled cavity and permit considerable movement. The cavity belongs to the synovial category, not the cartilaginous category.

Typical exampleTissue / structureMovement
Fibrous skull sutureDense fibrous tissueNone
Cartilaginous jointCartilage unites bonesLimited
Synovial jointFluid-filled cavityConsiderable

Question 14

A table labels atlas–axis as ball-and-socket, the thumb carpal–metacarpal joint as gliding, and femur–acetabulum as hinge. Which replacement repairs every row?

  1. (a)Atlas–axis—ball-and-socket; thumb carpal–metacarpal—saddle; femur–acetabulum—ball-and-socket
  2. (b)Atlas–axis—pivot; thumb carpal–metacarpal—saddle; femur–acetabulum—ball-and-socket
  3. (c)Atlas–axis—pivot; thumb carpal–metacarpal—saddle; femur–acetabulum—hinge
  4. (d)Atlas–axis—pivot; thumb carpal–metacarpal—gliding; femur–acetabulum—ball-and-socket
Show answer

(b) Atlas–axis—pivot; thumb carpal–metacarpal—saddle; femur–acetabulum—ball-and-socket

The three correct mappings are atlas–axis to pivot, thumb carpal–metacarpal to saddle, and femur–acetabulum to ball-and-socket. Hinge applies to the knee and interphalangeal joints, while gliding applies between carpals.

Muscular and skeletal disorders

Question 15

A learner gives the disorder profiles below. Which correction fixes all three?

DisorderLearner’s profile
Myasthenia gravisBone loss
Muscular dystrophyJoint inflammation
TetanyCaused by excess calcium
  1. (a)Myasthenia gravis—age-related bone loss; muscular dystrophy—mostly genetic muscle degeneration; tetany—rapid spasms due to low calcium
  2. (b)Myasthenia gravis—autoimmune neuromuscular-junction disorder; muscular dystrophy—mostly genetic muscle degeneration; tetany—rapid spasms due to excess calcium
  3. (c)Myasthenia gravis—autoimmune neuromuscular-junction disorder; muscular dystrophy—joint inflammation; tetany—rapid spasms due to low calcium
  4. (d)Myasthenia gravis—autoimmune neuromuscular-junction disorder; muscular dystrophy—mostly genetic progressive skeletal-muscle degeneration; tetany—rapid spasms due to low calcium
Show answer

(d) Myasthenia gravis—autoimmune neuromuscular-junction disorder; muscular dystrophy—mostly genetic progressive skeletal-muscle degeneration; tetany—rapid spasms due to low calcium

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular-junction disorder; muscular dystrophy is progressive skeletal-muscle degeneration, mostly genetic; and tetany is rapid muscle spasm due to low calcium ions in body fluid.

DisorderCorrect textbook profile
Myasthenia gravisAutoimmune disorder of neuromuscular transmission
Muscular dystrophyInherited disorders with progressive muscle degeneration
TetanyMuscle spasms associated with low calcium

Common misconception in Locomotion and Movement

Open full misconception guide →

Do muscles push bones to move them?

Wrong

The biceps pushes the forearm up.

Why it feels right. The forearm moves in the direction I think of as up, so the muscle must push it.

Right

A contracting muscle pulls on its attachment. Opposing muscles can move a joint in opposite directions.

Worked example

Flexion
Biceps contracts→Tendon pulls→Elbow bends
Extension against resistance
Triceps contracts→Tendon pulls→Elbow straightens
Muscles pull on tendons. Opposite muscles move the elbow in opposite directions.
  1. Bend your elbow.
  2. The biceps shortens and pulls on its tendon.
  3. Straighten the elbow against resistance and the triceps pulls from the opposite side.