Question 1

Which of the following best describes the primary difference in how the nervous system and endocrine system initiate responses?

Accepted Answer

The nervous system initiates responses rapidly, while the endocrine system initiates responses slowly.

Question 2

Which of the following organs is NOT considered a major endocrine gland?

Accepted Answer

Liver

Question 3

A hormone is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

A chemical messenger secreted by cells into extracellular fluids, traveling through blood to regulate metabolic function of other cells.

Question 4

Which two endocrine glands are found in the neck region?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid and parathyroid glands

Question 5

What distinguishes a hormone from a paracrine?

Accepted Answer

Hormones are long-distance chemical signals traveling in blood, while paracrines are short-distance signals acting locally on different cell types.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of an autocrine signal?

Accepted Answer

Prostaglandins released by smooth muscle cells causing those same cells to contract.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the signal strength coding in the endocrine system?

Accepted Answer

Signal strength is coded by concentration of hormone.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about exocrine glands is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Exocrine glands produce nonhormonal substances and have ducts that carry these substances to a membrane surface.

Question 9

A patient has a tumor affecting the adrenal glands. Which of the following processes might be disrupted?

Accepted Answer

Regulation of cellular metabolism and energy balance

Question 10

Which of the following is a function controlled by the endocrine system?

Accepted Answer

Maintenance of electrolyte, water, and nutrient balance of the blood

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the location and arrangement of hormone-producing cells in endocrine glands?

Accepted Answer

They are arranged in cords and branching networks to maximize contact with capillaries.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the endocrine system?

Accepted Answer

Initiates responses rapidly

Question 13

A hormone released by the pancreas travels through the blood to affect the liver. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Endocrine signaling

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why endocrine responses tend to last longer than nervous system responses?

Accepted Answer

Hormones initiate responses after a lag period but once initiated, responses last much longer.

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct equation for signal strength coding in the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{Signal strength} = 	ext{Frequency of action potentials}$$

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct equation for signal strength coding in the endocrine system?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{Signal strength} = 	ext{Concentration of hormone}$$

Question 17

A patient is experiencing widespread effects throughout their body due to a hormone released into the blood. Which system is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Endocrine system

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the action of neurotransmitters?

Accepted Answer

They act at specific locations determined by axon pathways.

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-life example of paracrine signaling?

Accepted Answer

Somatostatin released by one population of pancreatic cells inhibits the release of insulin by a different population of pancreatic cells.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the difference between endocrine and exocrine glands as shown in the third image?

Accepted Answer

Endocrine glands release hormones into surrounding tissue fluid and have rich vascular drainage, while exocrine glands release nonhormonal substances through ducts to a membrane surface.

The Endocrine System: Overview and Comparison with the Nervous System

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