All AP Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #51 : Endocrine System
__________ causes testosterone production in males and triggers ovulation in females.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Estrogen
Testosterone
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
The hormone described in the question is luteinizing hormone (LH). If fertilization occurs, the LH levels will decrease and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is released from the placenta to simulate LH function.
Example Question #52 : Endocrine System
Amy has osteoporosis, which is a disease that affects the bone. It occurs in individuals with low calcium levels in their bones. The bones become weak, brittle and may break. Which of the following hormones would she need to produce to help reduce the problems associated with osteoporosis?
Parathyroid hormone
Calcitriol
Calcitonin
Calmodulin
Growth hormone
Calcitonin
Calcitonin is the hormone in charge of taking calcium ions from the bloodstream and incorporating them into the matrix of the bone. This allows the bone to produce hydroxyapatite crystals from the calcium, which can strengthen the matrix of the bone and reduce the effect of osteoporosis. Parathyroid hormone and calcitriol (vitamin D) have opposite effects as calcitonin - they increase the blood calcium levels through breaking down bone and increasing the absorption of calcium in the gut. Growth hormone is responsible for normal growth and development of the body, especially bones and skeletal muscles. It is not involved in regulation of minerals such as calcium. Calmodulin is a calcium binding protein that regulates many intracellular processes.
Example Question #53 : Endocrine System
What is the hormone responsible for decreasing blood levels of calcium?
Calcitonin
Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Melatonin
Triiodothyronine
Thyroxine
Calcitonin
The hormone responsible for the reduction of calcium in the blood is calcitonin. This hormone promotes the assimilation of calcium ions into the bone matrix from the blood. This reduces the concentration of calcium ions in the blood and increases the concentration found in the bone. Meanwhile, PTH has the opposite effect by taking calcium ions from the bone matrix and releasing them into the blood.
Example Question #54 : Endocrine System
Which of the following hormones is produced in the posterior pituitary gland?
Prolactin
Epinephrine
Oxytocin
Growth hormone
Melatonin
Oxytocin
The correct answer is oxytocin because this hormone is produced in the posterior pituitary gland along with antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Oxytocin is responsible for uterine contraction during labor in a positive feedback look mechanism.
Example Question #55 : Endocrine System
Where is the hormone melatonin produced?
Pineal gland
Posterior pituitary
Anterior pituitary
Pancreas
Adrenal gland
Pineal gland
Melatonin is produced in the pineal gland which is a gland in the brain responsible for the body’s circadian rhythms and sleep/wake cycle. The concentration of melatonin peaks at night and causes us to fall asleep. Melatonin is degraded while we sleep so that when we wake up in the morning we start to produce it again throughout the day.
Example Question #51 : Endocrine System
The pancreas is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels through the release of insulin and glucagon. In Type I Diabetic individuals the body has high blood sugar due to the inability to produce insulin, which is responsible for lowering blood sugar. In an individual with Type II Diabetes the body produces insulin, however, the receptors have become insensitive to the presence of insulin. What effect will injecting additional insulin have in an individual with Type II Diabetes?
It will reduce blood sugar levels
It will reduce glucagon levels
It will have little to no effect
It will increase blood sugar levels
It will have little to no effect
Because insulin receptors have been desensitized to insulin, the addition of more insulin will not have any effect. This is why Type II Diabetes is much more difficult to treat than Type I. The recommended course of action for individuals with Type II diabetes is to eat healthy and exercise.
Example Question #52 : Endocrine System
While walking home from class one afternoon, you take a shortcut that leads you in front of a house that is guarded by a huge, barking dog. Unfortunately, you are terrified of dogs! Though the dog is unable to escape its yard, as you walk past you notice yourself breathing more quickly than normal and you can feel your heart racing and your palms sweating. Which of your glands is most likely responsible for your physiological reaction to the dog?
Adrenal cortex
Adrenal medulla
Anterior pituitary
Pineal gland
Adrenal medulla
The adrenal gland is almost certainly responsible for your reaction, as this gland contains the adrenal medulla, which is capable of releasing epinephrine. During stressful situations, the sympathetic nervous system triggers the fight-or-flight response. During this response, sympathetic nerves stimulate the adrenal medulla, which then releases epinephrine. Epinephrine raises blood sugar levels and increases blood pressure, brain oxygen consumption, and heart rate. It prepares an individual to either fight a threat (such as a dog), or run away from it.
The anterior pituitary is capable of releasing a number of hormones including growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and prolactin.
The pineal gland is involved in biorhythms and sleep patterns.
The adrenal cortex is stimulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone and releases corticosteroids in response to long-term stress, such as sleep or food deprivation.
Example Question #53 : Endocrine System
Which of the following hormones is not released by the anterior pituitary gland?
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Growth hormone (GH)
Prolactin
Oxytocin
Oxytocin
The anterior pituitary is responsible for releasing a large number of hormones; however, oxytocin is released by the posterior pituitary. Two of oxytocin's most important functions include stimulating uterus contractions and stimulating milk production by the mammary glands.
Prolactin stimulates milk release from the mammary glands.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone stimulates the release of hormones from the thyroid gland.
Growth hormone stimulates the growth of bones and stimulates the liver to release insulin-like growth factors.
It is important to note that at least one hormone from the hypothalamus is used to regulate each of the hormones released by the anterior pituitary—for example, the anterior pituitary gland will only release prolactin if the hypothalamus releases prolactin-releasing hormone.
Example Question #54 : Endocrine System
Chemical messengers released in the blood to stimulate or inhibit the function of another organs are known as __________.
second messengers
platelets
hormones
electrolytes
enzymes
hormones
A hormone is a chemical formed in one organ and carried by the blood to stimulate or inhibit the function of another organ.
Enzymes are protein molecules that carry out catalytic functions. Electrolytes are simply ions dissolved in solution. Second messengers are relay molecules between a signal and its ultimate effect, such as the molecules that carry signals from the cell membrane to the nucleus to affect transcription. Platelets are cell fragments in the blood that help form clots to heal injuries.
Example Question #51 : Endocrine System
Which of the following is produced by the pituitary gland?
Estrogen
Epinephrine
Testosterone
Insulin
Follicle-stimulating hormone
Follicle-stimulating hormone
The hormones secreted by the pituitary gland are FLAT PEG: Follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin, endorphins, and growth hormone. Testosterone is produced in the testes in males, and in the adrenal gland in both males and females. Insulin is produced by the pancreas. Estrogen is produced by the ovaries in females, and in the adrenal gland in both males and females.
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