All Biochemistry Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Hormones And Neurotransmitters
The peptide hormone adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is secreted from the pituitary gland and stimulates the production of the glucocorticoid cortisol in the adrenal cortex. Which of the following best describes the feedback pathway by which ACTH is regulated by cortisol?
Cortisol stimulates the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus, which results in an increase in ACTH released from the pituitary gland. This is a positive feedback loop.
Cortisol stimulates the release of fibroblast growth factor hormone from the hypothalamus, which results in an increase in ACTH released from the pituitary gland. This is a positive feedback loop.
Cortisol inhibits the release of fibroblast growth factor hormone from the hypothalamus, which results in a decrease in ACTH released from the pituitary gland. This is a negative feedback loop.
Cortisol stimulates the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus, which results in a decrease in ACTH released from the pituitary gland. This is a positive feedback loop.
Cortisol inhibits the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus, which results in a decrease in ACTH released from the pituitary gland. This is a negative feedback loop.
Cortisol inhibits the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus, which results in a decrease in ACTH released from the pituitary gland. This is a negative feedback loop.
ACTH is regulated by a negative feedback loop, in which ACTH secretion stimulates production of cortisol, but this feeds back on to the hypothalamus to inhibit the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH is a positive regulator of ACTH production, so a decrease in CRH ultimately results in a decrease in ACTH.
Example Question #4 : Hormones And Neurotransmitters
Deactivation of phospholipase-C will cause which of the following?
Maintenance of phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP3) in the plasma membrane
Release of diacylglycerol (DAG) from the plasma membrane
Increase in cytosolic calcium levels
Release of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) from the plasma membrane
Maintenance of phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP3) in the plasma membrane
Phospholipase C normally breaks down phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP3) into diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3). This cascade eventually increases cytosolic calcium levels through its release from the endoplasmic reticulum and from the extracellular fluid. Malfunction in this enzyme results in PIP3 not being broken down.
Example Question #2 : Peptide Hormone Pathways
Insulin does all of the following except __________.
increase DNA replication
promote gluconeogenesis
increase protein synthesis
promote glycogen synthesis
decrease lipolysis
promote gluconeogenesis
Insulin is a peptide hormone that is released in the fed state. Thus, it promotes glucose storage and DNA replication, but decreases glycogen breakdown and the release of glucose.
Example Question #1 : Hormones And Neurotransmitters
Which of the following is true about glucagon?
It is released by beta cells in the pancreas
It increases in the blood after a high carbohydrate meal
It is secreted by the liver
It promotes the release of glucose in the blood
It is a steroid hormone
It promotes the release of glucose in the blood
Glucagon is a peptide hormone that is released in the fasted state. It stimulates macromolecule breakdown and the production and subsequent release of glucose into the blood stream. It is synthesized and released from the alpha-cells in the pancreatic islets.
Example Question #2 : Hormones And Neurotransmitters
All of the following will induce insulin release into the blood except __________.
a high carbohydrate meal
All of these would stimulate insulin release.
an increase in blood glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)
an increase in incretins in the blood
an increase in blood growth hormone
an increase in blood growth hormone
Insulin release is induced by incretins in the blood (ex. GLP-1), and a high carbohydrate meal. Incretins are metabolic hormones that stimulate a decrease in blood glucose. Growth hormone does not cause an increase in blood insulin.
Example Question #61 : Biochemical Signaling
All the following are true about pancreatic beta-cells except that __________.
they are primarily found on the outer edges of pancreatic islets
they are activated in the fasted state
they produce somatostatin
they only produce one type of product
they are in found in small amounts in pancreatic islets of the pancreas
they are in found in small amounts in pancreatic islets of the pancreas
Beta-cells are found in the majority of the inner area of pancreatic islets. They are the most common cell in the pancreatic islet. Beta-cells produce both insulin and C-peptide, and are primarily active in the fed state. The gamma cells of the pancreatic islets secrete somatostatin.
Example Question #62 : Biochemical Signaling
Which of the following is true regarding insulin?
C-peptide quantities in the bloodstream can be used as a marker for insulin secretion in the blood
It is elevated during a fasted state
It is involved in the translocation of the GLUT-1 receptor in muscle
It is produced by alpha-cells in the pancreas
It is produced by beta-cells in the liver
C-peptide quantities in the bloodstream can be used as a marker for insulin secretion in the blood
C-peptide is produced in equal amounts as insulin, but has a longer half-life and thus is a better indicator of insulin release. Insulin is produced by beta-cells in the pancreas during a fed state. Insulin is involved in translocation of the GLUT-4 receptor.
Example Question #63 : Biochemical Signaling
Glucagon secretion is induced by all the following except __________.
an increase in epinephrine
a decrease in blood sugar
an increase in cortisol
a decrease in blood insulin
an increase in blood insulin
an increase in blood insulin
Glucagon is released in a fasted or high-stress state (including increased concentration of blood cortisol or epinephrine). It is also induced when blood insulin levels are decreased. Recall that glucagon and insulin have antagonistic functions, and are thus secreted in opposite temporal patterns.
Example Question #64 : Biochemical Signaling
Which amino acid is not a precursor for a neurotransmitter?
Phenylalanine
Tryptophan
Tyrosine
Histidine
Serine
Serine
Tryptophan is a precursor for serotonin. Phenylalanine is a precursor for dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Histamine acts both as a mediator of the inflammatory response and as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Tyrosine is a precursor for dopamine. Serine is not a precursor for any neurotransmitter.
Example Question #63 : Biochemical Signaling
What hormones ultimately activate the production of glucose within a cell?
Glucagon, insulin
Glucagon, epinephrine
Glucagon, glucose
Insulin, glucose
Insulin, epinephrine
Glucagon, epinephrine
Glucagon receptors and beta-adrenoreceptors (for epinephrine) on cells trigger the release of cAMP, starting a phosphorylation cascade which ultimately activates glycogen phosphorylase and inhibits glycogen synthase. In liver cells, alpha-adrenoreceptors (also for epinephrine) releases calcium ions, which also begins a phosphorylation cascade ultimately leading to glycogen degradation. Glycogen is broken down into glucose which can undergo glycolysis for the production of ATP.
One must know the phosphorylation system in order to fully understand this conclusion, but logically, an increase of glucose in a cell (or insulin, which is released when blood glucose levels are high) shouldn't trigger a cell to make more glucose, as this implies there is an abundance of glucose in the cell.
Epinephrine, released by adrenal glands, is a neurotransmitter which is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, in which an organism needs energy fast. Therefore, an increase of glucose is needed for glycolysis.
Glucagon, released by the pancreas, is directly released when blood glucose levels are low, and therefore it is logical that it must signal for an increase of glucose production.
Certified Tutor