Q.91 Botany ⭐ 360° Option Elimination Active
NEET 2026 Botany Question 91 Solution
Topic: Locomotion and Movement · Official NTA Booklet Code 50
Question
The number of vertebrae in a human is
✓
Verified Against NTA Final Answer Key
Option (3) : 26
📚 Locomotion and Movement Easy
📋 Given Parameters & Problem Setup
Skeletal Region Adult human vertebral column (backbone)
Vertebral Formula C₇ T₁₂ L₅ S₍₁₎ Co₍₁₎
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⏱️ Save ~40 seconds The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ Adult Vertebral Count Rule
7 Cervical + 12 Thoracic + 5 Lumbar + 1 Sacrum + 1 Coccyx = 26 Vertebrae!
1 Recall adult vertebral column composition:
2 Cervical = 7, Thoracic = 12, Lumbar = 5, Sacral = 1 (fused from 5), Coccygeal = 1 (fused from 4).
3 Sum: 7 + 12 + 5 + 1 + 1 = 26.
4 Look at Option (3): 26. Pick Option (3) in 5 seconds!
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Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: NCERT Human Physiology Locomotion verbatim: Our vertebral column is formed by 26 serially arranged units called vertebrae and is dorsally placed.
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Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof
Step 1
Anatomy of the Human Axial Skeleton
The vertebral column forms the central axis of the human body, extending from the base of the skull and protecting the spinal cord. In an adult human, it consists of 26 serially arranged articulated units called vertebrae separated by intervertebral discs.
- • Cervical vertebrae: 7 (in neck, including Atlas C1 and Axis C2).
- • Thoracic vertebrae: 12 (articulate with ribs).
- • Lumbar vertebrae: 5 (in lower back).
- • Sacrum: 1 (formed by fusion of 5 sacral vertebrae).
- • Coccyx: 1 (tail bone, formed by fusion of 4 coccygeal vertebrae).
Step 2
Distinguish Adult vs Embryonic Count
In human infants, there are 33 individual bones. However, upon skeletal maturation, the 5 sacral vertebrae fuse into 1 sacrum, and the 4 coccygeal vertebrae fuse into 1 coccyx. Thus, the adult anatomical standard taught in the core curriculum is 26.
- • Adult functional bones = 26.
Step 3
Conclusion
The total number of vertebrae in a human is 26.
- • Matches Option (3).
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4-Option Deep Scan
360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature
Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.
1 A
✗ Incorrect Verdict & Scientific Reason:
Incorrect. 7 is only the number of cervical (neck) vertebrae, not the entire vertebral column.
⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Mistaking cervical vertebrae count for total vertebrae.
2 B
✗ Incorrect Verdict & Scientific Reason:
Incorrect. 12 is the number of thoracic vertebrae (or pairs of ribs), not total vertebrae.
⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing thoracic vertebrae with the complete backbone.
3 C
✓ 100% Correct Verdict & Scientific Reason:
Exact canonical count: 26 serially arranged vertebrae in adult human skeleton.
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Why this is airtight: None; precise anatomical recall.
4 D
✗ Incorrect Verdict & Scientific Reason:
Incorrect. 206 is the total number of bones in the ENTIRE adult human skeleton.
⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing total skeletal bones with vertebral count.
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NTA Trap Alert: Confusing Total Skeleton Bones (206) with Vertebrae (26)
Under exam pressure, students see "bones in human" and immediately rush to select 206 (Option 4). The question specifically asks for VERTEBRAE, which is 26!
🛡️ How to avoid the -1 mark: Read carefully: Total skeleton = 206 bones; Vertebral column = 26 vertebrae.
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Core NEET Syllabus Standard
NEET Biology Core Syllabus · Locomotion and Movement Standard Benchmark
Core Scientific Principle Tested:
"The human vertebral column consists of 26 articulated vertebrae: C₇ T₁₂ L₅ S₁ Co₁."
Syllabus Focus: Skeletal system - Axial skeleton and vertebral column
✓ Core NEET UG Syllabus Anchor Syllabus & Academic Standards ↗
Breakfast at 7 (Cervical), Lunch at 12 (Thoracic), Dinner at 5 (Lumbar) + 1 Sacrum + 1 Coccyx = 26!
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