Question 1

An individual, driving through his neighborhood, suddenly jams on his car brakes to avoid hitting a child who runs into the road after a ball. A few seconds later, the driver finds that he is shaking and his heart is pounding. This is primarily due to the secretion of which one of the following?
A) epinephrine from the adrenal medulla
B) cortisol from the adrenal cortex
C) insulin from the pancreas
D) thyroxine from the thyroid
E) norepinephrine from the adrenal cortex

Accepted Answer

The sudden stress of the situation triggers the "fight or flight" response, leading to the secretion of epinephrine (adrenaline) from the adrenal medulla, which causes increased heart rate and shaking.

Question 2

When oxytocin is released during childbirth, the hormone targets cells in the
A) kidneys.
B) breasts.
C) hypothalamus.
D) uterus.
E) breasts and uterus.

Accepted Answer

Oxytocin is released during childbirth to stimulate contractions of the uterus, which helps to expel the baby.

Question 3

Which of the following tissues/organs is NOT a member of the endocrine system?
A) kidney
B) salivary gland
C) adrenal gland
D) thyroid gland
E) stomach

Accepted Answer

The salivary gland is not part of the endocrine system; it is part of the digestive system and produces saliva.

Question 4

During times of stress, which one of the following glands stimulates the anterior pituitary to release ACTH?
A) hypothalamus
B) pancreas
C) adrenal medulla
D) posterior pituitary
E) anterior pituitary

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) which stimulates the anterior pituitary to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) during stress.

Question 5

Hyposecretion of ADH results in
A) stimulation of protein synthesis.
B) reduced uptake of blood glucose.
C) diabetes insipidus.
D) an increase in the mass and length of bones.
E) overstimulation of cell division.

Accepted Answer

Hyposecretion of ADH (antidiuretic hormone) leads to diabetes insipidus, a condition characterized by excessive thirst and excretion of large amounts of severely diluted urine.

Question 6

Nonsteroid hormones differ from steroid hormones in that they
A) cause a change to occur in the target cell.
B) bind to an intracellular receptor.
C) are water insoluble.
D) cannot be stored.
E) bind to a receptor on the outer surface of the cell membrane.

Accepted Answer

Nonsteroid hormones are typically water-soluble and cannot pass through the cell membrane, so they bind to receptors on the outer surface of the cell membrane, unlike steroid hormones which are lipid-soluble and bind to intracellular receptors.

Question 7

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid that helps maintain blood glucose levels during fasting by
A) stimulating the synthesis of fatty acids.
B) promoting the conversion of amino acids into proteins in muscle tissues.
C) increasing the glucose-dependent inflammatory response.
D) promoting fat utilization.
E) inhibiting glucose utilization in muscle cells.

Accepted Answer

Cortisol promotes fat utilization by stimulating lipolysis, which helps maintain blood glucose levels during fasting by providing alternative energy sources.

Question 8

FSH is a hormone important to the proper functioning of the ovaries and testes. This hormone will not be released from the anterior pituitary until ________ is released from the hypothalamus.
A) TSH
B) GnRH
C) ACTH
D) LH
E) PRL

Accepted Answer

GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone) is released from the hypothalamus and stimulates the anterior pituitary to release FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone).

Question 9

All of the following statements about the endocrine system are TRUE EXCEPT which one?
A) Many hormones are not able to cross the blood-brain barrier.
B) Hormones are distributed via the circulatory system.
C) Hormones exert their effects on cells that have the specific hormone receptor.
D) Hormones act more quickly than the nervous system.
E) The endocrine system and the nervous system frequently interact.

Accepted Answer

Hormones generally act more slowly than the nervous system, as they rely on the circulatory system to reach their target cells, whereas the nervous system uses rapid electrical signals.

Question 10

Insulin helps regulate blood sugar at homeostatic levels by
A) stimulating alpha cells of the pancreas to produce more hormones.
B) promoting the entry of glucose into cells.
C) stimulating the breakdown of glycogen to glucose.
D) activating hormone production in the posterior pituitary gland.
E) promoting the breakdown of fat.

Accepted Answer

Insulin helps lower blood sugar levels by promoting the uptake of glucose into cells, particularly muscle and fat cells, for energy use or storage.

Question 11

The anterior pituitary gland produces all of the following EXCEPT which one?
A) ACTH
B) LH
C) PRL
D) TSH
E) ADH

Accepted Answer

ADH (antidiuretic hormone) is produced by the hypothalamus and stored and released by the posterior pituitary gland, not the anterior pituitary.

Question 12

Hormones act upon specific target tissues because
A) they interact only with target cells at a synapse.
B) they are released next to target tissues, so they cannot interact with other cells.
C) target tissues display the appropriate receptor for a particular hormone.
D) they can be released only following depolarization of the target cell.
E) the blood has access to all body tissues.

Accepted Answer

Hormones act on specific target tissues because these tissues have specific receptors that bind to the hormone, allowing it to exert its effect.

Question 13

Uptake of blood glucose by liver cells is stimulated by
A) ADH.
B) prolactin.
C) parathyroid hormone.
D) glucagon.
E) insulin.

Accepted Answer

Insulin is a hormone that facilitates the uptake of glucose by liver cells, promoting its conversion into glycogen for storage.

Question 14

Luteinizing hormone is considered a gonadotropin because of which one of the following reasons?
A) It stimulates the growth and development of gonads, but only in females.
B) It stimulates the growth but not the development of gonads in males.
C) It promotes the growth of reproductive organs in both males and females.
D) It functions to complement the activity of TSH.
E) It triggers the production of gonadotropin hormones.

Accepted Answer

Luteinizing hormone is considered a gonadotropin because it promotes the growth and function of the reproductive organs (gonads) in both males and females.

Question 15

Insufficient production of growth hormone by the anterior pituitary may result in
A) diabetes insipidus.
B) a drop in blood glucose levels.
C) acromegaly.
D) dwarfism.
E) gigantism.

Accepted Answer

Insufficient production of growth hormone during childhood can lead to dwarfism, characterized by short stature and delayed growth.

Question 16

The pituitary gland is often called the "master of the endocrine system" because
A) it secretes eight different hormones that in turn regulate many of the other endocrine glands.
B) all other hormones must be activated by enzymes released by the pituitary gland.
C) it contains neuroendocrine cells that activate many of the other endocrine glands.
D) all blood vessels must pass through the pituitary so hormones can be regulated.
E) releasing and inhibiting factors for most other endocrine glands are released by the pituitary.

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland secretes hormones that regulate various other endocrine glands, earning it the title "master gland."

Question 17

Prednisone is a glucocorticoid hormone that is sometimes prescribed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and severe allergic reactions. If prednisone were taken for several weeks, which one of the following might occur?
A) Production of natural cortisol may decrease.
B) Production of estrogen by the ovaries may decrease.
C) Levels of thyroid hormone may be elevated.
D) Levels of aldosterone may be elevated.
E) Levels of parathyroid hormone may be decreased.

Accepted Answer

Prolonged use of prednisone can lead to suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in decreased production of natural cortisol by the adrenal glands.

Question 18

The action of nonsteroid hormones often results in conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP, which then functions
A) as an internal receptor for steroid hormones.
B) as an enzyme in the generation of ATP.
C) to initiate a cascade of enzyme activations.
D) to stimulate the release of the original hormone from the cell surface receptor.
E) as a secondary hormone released into the bloodstream.

Accepted Answer

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) acts as a second messenger that initiates a cascade of enzyme activations within the cell, amplifying the signal of the nonsteroid hormone.

Question 19

Which one of the following hormones stimulates the production of testosterone in males?
A) prolactin
B) LH
C) aldosterone
D) FSH
E) growth hormone

Accepted Answer

Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone in males.

Question 20

The following is a list of events involved in the activation of a cell by a steroid hormone. Which one of the following answers best represents the order in which the steps occur? 
1) cellular response to the hormone
2) activation of a gene
3) formation of a hormone-receptor complex
4) diffusion of the hormone through a target cell membrane
5) production of a protein
A) 4, 3, 2, 5, 1
B) 2, 5, 4, 3, 1
C) 5, 3, 4, 1, 2
D) 2, 5, 1, 3, 4
E) 4, 3, 2, 1, 5

Accepted Answer

Steroid hormones diffuse through the cell membrane (4), form a hormone-receptor complex (3), activate a gene (2), lead to protein production (5), and result in a cellular response (1).

Quiz 13: The Endocrine System

An individual, driving through his neighborhood, suddenly jams on his car brakes to avoid hitting a child who runs into the road after a ball. A few seconds later, the driver finds that he is shaking and his heart is pounding. This is primarily due to the secretion of which one of the following?

When oxytocin is released during childbirth, the hormone targets cells in the

Which of the following tissues/organs is NOT a member of the endocrine system?

During times of stress, which one of the following glands stimulates the anterior pituitary to release ACTH?

Hyposecretion of ADH results in

Nonsteroid hormones differ from steroid hormones in that they

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid that helps maintain blood glucose levels during fasting by

FSH is a hormone important to the proper functioning of the ovaries and testes. This hormone will not be released from the anterior pituitary until ________ is released from the hypothalamus.

All of the following statements about the endocrine system are TRUE EXCEPT which one?

Insulin helps regulate blood sugar at homeostatic levels by

The anterior pituitary gland produces all of the following EXCEPT which one?

Hormones act upon specific target tissues because

Uptake of blood glucose by liver cells is stimulated by

Luteinizing hormone is considered a gonadotropin because of which one of the following reasons?

Insufficient production of growth hormone by the anterior pituitary may result in

The pituitary gland is often called the "master of the endocrine system" because

Prednisone is a glucocorticoid hormone that is sometimes prescribed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and severe allergic reactions. If prednisone were taken for several weeks, which one of the following might occur?

The action of nonsteroid hormones often results in conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP, which then functions

Which one of the following hormones stimulates the production of testosterone in males?