Q20
1 markVery Short AnswerSection B

How is the spinal cord protected in the human body?

Control and Coordination
Human Nervous System
Official Answer

The spinal cord is protected by the vertebral column or backbone.

vertebral columnbackboneprotectsspinal cord

Marking Scheme

  • 1Identification of the vertebral column or backbone as the protective structure (1 mark)

Hint

Think about the hard, bumpy bony structure you can feel when you run your hand down the middle of your back.

Quick Oral Answer

The spinal cord is protected by the vertebral column, which is also commonly referred to as the backbone.

Analysis & Explanation

According to the NCERT text, the spinal cord is a delicate structure containing nerves that supply information to the brain and coordinate reflex actions. It is protected by a hard, bumpy bony structure running down the middle of the back, known as the vertebral column or backbone.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Confusing the protection of the brain (which is protected by a bony box/cranium and fluid-filled balloon) with the protection of the spinal cord (protected by the vertebral column).
  2. 2Writing vague answers like 'bones' or 'skeleton' instead of specifically naming the 'vertebral column' or 'backbone'.

Interesting Facts

The vertebral column is made up of 33 individual bones called vertebrae in children, which fuse to form 26 bones in adults, providing both flexibility and robust protection to the spinal cord.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2010?

This question carries 1 mark in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2010 examination.

Which chapter does this question come from in Science?

This question is from the chapter "Control and Coordination" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.

What topic does this question cover in Science?

This question covers the topic "Human Nervous System" from CBSE Class 10 Science.

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2010 paper?

This is a Very Short Answer question from Section B in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2010 paper.