Question 1

What term describes hormones secreted by the hypothalamus that regulate the secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary gland?
A) growth factors
B) paracrine factors
C) hypophysiotropic hormones
D) metabotrobic-releasing factors
E) cerebrovitalistic hormones

Accepted Answer

The term that describes hormones secreted by the hypothalamus that regulate the secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary gland is "hypophysiotropic hormones." This term is also commonly known as "releasing hormones" or "inhibiting hormones" and includes hormones such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). These hormones travel through the hypophyseal portal system to the anterior pituitary gland, where they stimulate or inhibit the release of specific hormones.

Question 2

Which is a result of consuming a diet deficient in iodine?
A) low plasma concentration of thyroid hormones due to reduced secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) by the pituitary gland
B) low plasma concentration of thyroid hormones and an enlarged thyroid gland
C) high plasma concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) due to a deficiency of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
D) high plasma concentration of thyroid hormones due to increased secretion of TSH by the pituitary gland
E) low plasma concentration of thyroid hormones and atrophy of the thyroid gland due to reduced concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Accepted Answer

Consuming a diet deficient in iodine can lead to a condition called goiter, which is an enlarged thyroid gland. This is because iodine is necessary for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, and without enough iodine, the thyroid gland becomes enlarged as it tries to produce more hormones. However, the low production of thyroid hormones also contributes to the symptoms of iodine deficiency. Therefore, choice (B) is the best answer as it includes both the low plasma concentration of thyroid hormones and the enlarged thyroid gland.

Question 3

If the pituitary gland is removed from a human subject, which of the following is likely to occur?
A) The adrenal gland will hypertrophy to increase cortisol production.
B) The adrenal gland will atrophy and plasma cortisol levels will be reduced.
C) The hypothalamus will secrete less CRH.
D) The subject will remain euthyroid.
E) There will be increased negative feedback on growth hormone by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland is responsible for secreting adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) which stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisol. Without the pituitary gland, ACTH levels will decrease and result in adrenal gland atrophy and reduced cortisol production.

Question 4

A patient goes to her doctor, complaining of fatigue, weight gain, and intolerance to cold. She also has a noticeable goiter in her neck. Which of the following is a most likely diagnosis and cause?
A) She has hypothyroidism, possibly due to destruction of thyrotrope cells of her anterior pituitary gland.
B) She has hyperthyroidism, possibly due to Graves' disease.
C) She has hypothyroidism, possibly due to low iodine in her diet.
D) She has hyperthyroidism, possibly due to a hypersecreting tumor of the anterior pituitary gland.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient goes to her doctor, complaining...

Question 5

Which is an accurate description of the posterior pituitary and its functions?
A) It is glandular tissue and secretes vasopressin and prolactin.
B) It is neural tissue and is stimulated to secrete oxytocin and vasopressin by hypophysiotropic hormones.
C) It is neural tissue, and vesicles containing oxytocin and vasopressin are transported to axon terminals there.
D) It is glandular tissue and releases oxytocin and somatostatin when action potentials arrive along axons from the hypothalamus.
E) It is neural tissue that secretes hypophysiotropic hormones that control the secretion of the anterior pituitary hormones.

Accepted Answer

The posterior pituitary is composed of neural tissue, and it does not synthesize hormones. Instead, it stores and releases hormones, specifically oxytocin and vasopressin, which are transported to axon terminals in vesicles. When an action potential arrives along these axons from the hypothalamus, the vesicles are released, and the hormones enter the bloodstream.

Question 6

Which is part of the endocrine reponse to stress?
A) increased secretion of corticotropin from the anterior pituitary
B) increased secretion of corticotropin from the hypothalamus
C) increased secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the hypothalamus
D) negative feedback to the adrenal cortex by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
E) decreased secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) by the hypothalamus

Accepted Answer

Increased secretion of corticotropin (also known as adrenocorticotropic hormone or ACTH) from the anterior pituitary is part of the endocrine response to stress. ACTH stimulates the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex, which helps the body cope with stress.

Question 7

Which is a function of the gonadotropic hormones?
A) stimulating the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
B) inhibiting the release of growth hormone
C) inhibiting the release of prolactin
D) inducing the secretion of steroid hormones by the gonads in both males and females
E) stimulating the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Accepted Answer

The function of gonadotropic hormones is to induce the secretion of steroid hormones by the gonads in both males and females. This includes the release of testosterone in males and estrogen and progesterone in females. This is necessary for the development and maintenance of primary and secondary sexual characteristics, as well as for reproductive function.

Question 8

A chemical precursor for cortisol is ________, which is made from ________. Cortisol is secreted by ________ when stimulated by ________ from the anterior pituitary.
A) androstenedione, progesterone, adrenal cortex, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
B) progesterone, cholesterol, adrenal medulla, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
C) testosterone, cholesterol, adrenal medulla, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
D) progesterone, cholesterol, adrenal cortex, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
E) estradiol, cholesterol, adrenal medulla, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

Accepted Answer

The chemical precursor for cortisol is progesterone, which is made from cholesterol. Cortisol is secreted by the adrenal cortex when stimulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary. Choice A is incorrect because androstenedione is not a precursor for cortisol and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulates the release of ACTH, not cortisol. Choice B is incorrect because progesterone is made from cholesterol, not progesterone being a precursor for cortisol. Also, cortisol is not secreted by the adrenal medulla, but by the adrenal cortex. Choice C is incorrect because testosterone is not a precursor for cortisol, and again cortisol is not secreted by the adrenal medulla, but by the adrenal cortex. Choice E is incorrect because estradiol is not a precursor for cortisol and CRH stimulates the release of ACTH, not cortisol.

Question 9

Which of the following statements about hormone actions is correct?
A) Growth hormone is a tropic hormone for insulin-like growth factor 1.
B) Inhibition of prolactin release by dopamine is an example of short-loop negative feedback.
C) Somatostatin stimulates growth hormone secretion.
D) ACTH inhibits cortisol secretion.
E) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates growth hormone secretion.

Accepted Answer

Growth hormone stimulates the liver and other tissues to produce insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), making it a tropic hormone for IGF-1.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about hormones is correct?
A) Anterior pituitary hormones are synthesized in the hypothalamus.
B) All hormones secreted by the anterior and posterior pituitary glands are peptides.
C) IGF-1 stimulates growth by increasing growth hormone secretion through positive feedback.
D) All of the hypophysiotropic hormones are peptides.
E) Only steroid hormones can regulate the secretion of steroid hormones.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements about hormones...

Question 11

Which would be the effect of a blood clot that blocked the vessels of the hypothalamo-pituitary portal system in the infundibulum between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland?
A) secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) would decrease and the adrenal cortex would atrophy
B) secretion of gonadotropins will decrease and the gonads will hypertrophy
C) secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) would decrease
D) secretion of prolactin would decrease
E) secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) would increase

Accepted Answer

A blood clot blocking the hypothalamo-pituitary portal system would prevent hypothalamic hormones from reaching the anterior pituitary, leading to decreased secretion of ACTH and subsequent atrophy of the adrenal cortex.

Question 12

Which stimulates the secretion of growth hormone?
A) waking from sleep
B) exercise
C) increased levels of IGF-I in blood
D) high plasma glucose
E) increased somatostatin secretion

Accepted Answer

Exercise is a well-known stimulus for the secretion of growth hormone.

Question 13

Deficiency of iodine in the diet results in _____________ caused by ________________.
A) a goiter; increased production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and increased thyroid hormone levels
B) atrophy of the thyroid gland; loss of negative feedback by thyroid hormones and increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels
C) a goiter; loss of negative feedback by thyroid hormones and increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels
D) atrophy of the thyroid gland; decreased sensitivity of receptors for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
E) atrophy of the anterior pituitary gland; loss of negative feedback by thyroid hormones

Accepted Answer

Deficiency of iodine in the diet results in a goiter, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. This is caused by the loss of negative feedback by thyroid hormones and increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Without sufficient iodine, the thyroid gland cannot produce enough thyroid hormone to meet the body's needs, resulting in increased production of TSH by the pituitary gland in an attempt to stimulate the thyroid gland. Over time, this increased stimulation can cause the thyroid gland to enlarge, leading to a goiter.

Question 14

Which of these could be a cause of hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex?
A) autoimmune destruction of receptors for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
B) autoimmune destruction of hypothalamic cells that secrete corticotropin-releasing hormone
C) injection of an excess of cortisol
D) destruction of the anterior pituitary by a stroke
E) excessively rapid clearance of cortisol from the circulation

Accepted Answer

Excessively rapid clearance of cortisol from the circulation would lead to increased ACTH production to compensate, stimulating the adrenal cortex and potentially causing hypertrophy.

Question 15

Which is an example of long-loop negative feedback?
A) stimulation of dopamine release by prolactin
B) inhibition of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) release by growth hormone (GH)
C) inhibition of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) release by insulin-like growth factor-1
D) inhibition of corticotropin-releasing hormone by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
E) stimulation of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) release by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)

Accepted Answer

Long-loop negative feedback occurs when a hormone released by a target gland inhibits the release of hormones from the hypothalamus or pituitary. Insulin-like growth factor-1, produced in response to growth hormone, inhibits the release of growth hormone-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus.

Question 16

Short-loop negative feedback occurs when hormones from the ______________ inhibit hormone secretion by the ______________.
A) hypothalamus; anterior pituitary
B) adrenal cortex; hypothalamus
C) anterior pituitary; hypothalamus
D) adrenal cortex; anterior pituitary
E) anterior pituitary; adrenal cortex

Accepted Answer

Short-loop negative feedback occurs when hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland inhibit hormone secretion by the hypothalamus.

Question 17

If the adrenal glands were removed from a patient, his plasma cortisol levels would ________, secretion of CRH by the __________________ would __________________, and secretion of ACTH by the ______________ would _____________.
A) increase; hypothalamus; decrease; anterior pituitary gland; decrease
B) decrease; hypothalamus; increase; adenohypophysis; increase
C) decrease; anterior pituitary gland; increase; hypothalamus; increase
D) increase; hypothalamus; increase; adenohypophysis; increase
E) decrease; adenohypophysis; increase; anterior pituitary gland; increase

Accepted Answer

The adrenal glands produce cortisol, so removing them would decrease plasma cortisol levels. Without cortisol feedback, the hypothalamus would secrete more CRH to stimulate the adrenal glands, leading to an increase in CRH secretion. Similarly, the anterior pituitary gland would also secrete more ACTH to stimulate cortisol production, leading to an increase in ACTH secretion.

Question 18

Which of these describes secondary hypersecretion of hormone X?
A) A growing tumor secretes hormone Y, which stimulates the gland that secretes hormone X.
B) Cells of a growing tumor manufacture hormone X in unregulated fashion.
C) Negative feedback from a tumor that hypersecretes hormone Z inhibits the gland that secretes hormone X.
D) Hormone X is secreted by a growing tumor that is in the anterior pituitary gland.
E) Hormone X is secreted in unregulated fashion by a tumor growing in a tissue that does not normally secrete hormone X.

Accepted Answer

Secondary hypersecretion occurs when a condition or factor external to the gland that normally secretes a hormone causes that gland to secrete more of its hormone. In option A, a tumor secretes hormone Y, which then stimulates the gland that secretes hormone X, leading to increased secretion of hormone X. This is a classic example of secondary hypersecretion because the overproduction of hormone X is indirectly caused by the action of hormone Y from the tumor.

Question 19

Which are hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary?
A) vasopressin and dopamine
B) corticotropin and dopamine
C) oxytocin and prolactin
D) vasopressin and corticotropin
E) antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin

Accepted Answer

The hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary are antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin.

Question 20

Which of the following hormones is NOT secreted by the anterior pituitary gland?
A) somatotropin
B) prolactin
C) corticotropin
D) erythropoietin
E) thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Accepted Answer

Erythropoietin is not secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. It is actually produced by the kidneys and stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Quiz 11: The Endocrine System

What term describes hormones secreted by the hypothalamus that regulate the secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary gland?

Which is a result of consuming a diet deficient in iodine?

If the pituitary gland is removed from a human subject, which of the following is likely to occur?

A patient goes to her doctor, complaining of fatigue, weight gain, and intolerance to cold. She also has a noticeable goiter in her neck. Which of the following is a most likely diagnosis and cause?

Which is an accurate description of the posterior pituitary and its functions?

Which is part of the endocrine reponse to stress?

Which is a function of the gonadotropic hormones?

A chemical precursor for cortisol is , which is made from . Cortisol is secreted by when stimulated by from the anterior pituitary.

Which of the following statements about hormone actions is correct?

Which of the following statements about hormones is correct?

Which would be the effect of a blood clot that blocked the vessels of the hypothalamo-pituitary portal system in the infundibulum between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland?

Which stimulates the secretion of growth hormone?

Deficiency of iodine in the diet results in _ caused by ____.

Which of these could be a cause of hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex?

Which is an example of long-loop negative feedback?

Short-loop negative feedback occurs when hormones from the inhibit hormone secretion by the .

If the adrenal glands were removed from a patient, his plasma cortisol levels would , secretion of CRH by the would , and secretion of ACTH by the would _______.

Which of these describes secondary hypersecretion of hormone X?

Which are hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary?

Which of the following hormones is NOT secreted by the anterior pituitary gland?