Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between the endocrine and nervous systems in terms of signal transmission?

Accepted Answer

The endocrine system uses hormones that travel in the blood to reach distant targets, while the nervous system uses action potentials and neurotransmitters for rapid, short-distance signaling.

Question 2

A patient presents with persistently high levels of a particular hormone. Which cellular response is most likely to occur in the target cells?

Accepted Answer

Down-regulation of receptors, making the cells less sensitive to the hormone.

Question 3

Which hormone class is synthesized from cholesterol, is lipid-soluble, and can cross the plasma membrane to bind to intracellular receptors?

Accepted Answer

Steroid hormones

Question 4

Refer to the sequence of images showing a steroid hormone entering a cell and binding to a receptor. What is the final cellular outcome of this process?

Accepted Answer

The hormone-receptor complex binds to DNA, initiating transcription of specific genes to mRNA, which is then translated into protein.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a humoral stimulus for hormone release?

Accepted Answer

Low blood calcium levels stimulating the parathyroid glands to secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH).

Question 6

A patient is experiencing symptoms of hyperthyroidism, including increased basal metabolic rate and heat intolerance. Which hormone is most likely elevated?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid hormone (TH)

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why steroid and thyroid hormones generally have longer half-lives in the blood than peptide hormones?

Accepted Answer

They circulate bound to plasma proteins, which protects them from rapid degradation.

Question 8

Which of the following is a direct effect of growth hormone (GH) on metabolism?

Accepted Answer

Decreasing cellular glucose uptake and increasing blood glucose levels

Question 9

Which hormone is released from the posterior pituitary in response to increased blood osmolarity and acts on the kidneys to promote water reabsorption?

Accepted Answer

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Question 10

A patient with Addison’s disease is likely to have deficiencies in which group of hormones?

Accepted Answer

Adrenocortical hormones (mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids)

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the permissive effect of hormones?

Accepted Answer

One hormone cannot exert its full effects without another hormone being present.

Question 12

Which hormone is secreted by the anterior pituitary and stimulates the adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids?

Accepted Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Question 13

Which of the following is a function of insulin?

Accepted Answer

Promotes glucose uptake by muscle and fat cells, lowering blood glucose levels

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct sequence of events for the synthesis and release of thyroid hormone (TH)?

Accepted Answer

Iodide is oxidized to iodine, iodine attaches to tyrosine, iodinated tyrosines link to form T3 and T4, colloid is endocytosed, and TH is released.

Question 15

Which hormone is released in response to low blood calcium levels and acts to increase blood calcium?

Accepted Answer

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Question 16

A patient is given a drug that blocks all G protein–coupled receptors. Which hormone’s action would be most directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why the effects of water-soluble hormones are generally shorter in duration than those of lipid-soluble hormones?

Accepted Answer

Water-soluble hormones are rapidly removed from the blood by the kidneys and act through second messenger systems.

Question 18

Which hormone is released from the adrenal medulla in response to neural stimulation and is involved in the fight-or-flight response?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine

Question 19

A patient with a pituitary tumor is found to have elevated levels of prolactin. Which of the following symptoms would most likely be observed?

Accepted Answer

Inappropriate milk production (galactorrhea) and cessation of menses in females

Question 20

Which of the following is a direct effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the kidneys?

Accepted Answer

Enhances reabsorption of calcium and promotes activation of vitamin D

The Endocrine System: Structure, Function, and Regulation

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