Human Anatomy and Physiology : Endocrine Physiology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Human Anatomy and Physiology

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Help With Pituitary And Hypothalamus Physiology

What gland secretes oxytocin?

Possible Answers:

Thyroid gland 

Posterior pituitary gland

Pineal gland

Anterior pituitary gland

Correct answer:

Posterior pituitary gland

Explanation:

Oxytocin is a hormone found in both males and females, but serves a more widely recognized role in females. It is released from the posterior pituitary gland, along with antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) hormone. Oxytocin is responsible for stimulating contractions during childbirth and is one of only a few hormones to be controlled via positive feedback.

Example Question #41 : Systems Physiology

The pituitary gland is under control of the __________.

Possible Answers:

hypothalamus 

thalamus 

adrenal gland 

thyroid 

cerebellum 

Correct answer:

hypothalamus 

Explanation:

The pituitary gland is under the control of the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus determines which and how much of each hormone the pituitary will release by secreting releasing and/or inhibiting factors. The pituitary gland is connected to the base of the hypothalamus by the pituitary stalk. 

Example Question #3 : Gland Physiology

Antidiuretic hormone is produced by the __________ and released by the __________.

Possible Answers:

hypothalamus . . . neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary)

neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary) . . . adrenal medulla

adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary) . . . adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary)

hypothalamus . . . adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary)

neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary) . . . neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary)

Correct answer:

hypothalamus . . . neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary)

Explanation:

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is a hormone that is produced in the hypothalamus and travels down nerve ending from the hypothalamus to be released from the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis). ADH is the hormone that is responsible for reabsorbing water back into the blood stream at the level of the kidney.

Example Question #41 : Endocrine Physiology

Which of the following hormones is not produced by the anterior pituitary?

Possible Answers:

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Oxytocin

Growth hormone

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Correct answer:

Oxytocin

Explanation:

The anterior pituitary produces seven products : follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin, endorphins, and growth hormone (GH). The posterior pituitary produces oxytocin and anti diuretic hormone (ADH). To remember the anterior pituitary products, think of the mnemonic FLAT PEG:

FSH

LH

ACTH

TSH

Prolactin

Endorphins

GH

Example Question #41 : Endocrine Physiology

Which of the following hormones is secreted from the ovary?

Possible Answers:

Testosterone

Estrogen

Progesterone

None of these answers

More than one of these answers

Correct answer:

More than one of these answers

Explanation:

The ovaries secrete estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. 

Example Question #42 : Endocrine Physiology

Which of the following glands would be most active in a person with low blood calcium levels?

Possible Answers:

Pituitary gland

Thymus gland

Thyroid gland

Pancreas

Parathyroid gland

Correct answer:

Parathyroid gland

Explanation:

In accordance with negative feedback and homeostasis, low blood calcium levels will cause the body to release a hormone in order to raise calcium levels. Parathyroid hormone is a hormone that acts to raise blood calcium levels by stimulating osteoclast activity, releasing stored calcium from bone into the blood. The parathyroid gland would be most active during low blood calcium in order to initiate this effect.

The thyroid gland is involved in raising blood calcium levels (calcitonin) and mediating metabolism (T3 and T4). The pancreas moderates blood glucose levels (insulin and glucagon). The pituitary gland is associated with several processes, including stimulation of other endocrine glands, but is not linked to parathyroid activity. The thymus is located superior to the heart and is the location of maturation for T-lymphocytes; it also secretes certain hormones that affect immune system maintenance and development.

Example Question #42 : Endocrine Physiology

Which hormone increases blood calcium levels? 

Possible Answers:

Parathyroid hormone

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Aldosterone 

Calcitonin

Correct answer:

Parathyroid hormone

Explanation:

When blood calcium levels are low, parathyroid hormone is released to increase calcium reabsorption of the kidneys and to stimulate osteoclasts, which are responsible for bone resorption. These processes serve to increase blood calcium levels.

Parathyroid hormone is an antagonist to calcitonin, which is released from the thryoid gland and increases blood calcium levels.

Example Question #11 : Gland Physiology

What is the function of calcitonin?

Possible Answers:

Increases calcium levels

Increases heart rate

Decreased calcium levels

Binds T4 to T3

Correct answer:

Decreased calcium levels

Explanation:

Calcitonin is produced by the C-cells located in the thyroid gland and its main function is to decrease plasma calcium. This is done primarily through the activation of osteoblasts, which take calcium in the blood and store it in bone.

Example Question #1 : Help With Thymus And Adrenal Physiology

What is the synthesis site for the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine?

Possible Answers:

Adrenal cortex

Testes

Pituitary gland

Adrenal medulla

Correct answer:

Adrenal medulla

Explanation:

Epinephrine is a tyrosine derivative hormone that is synthesized in the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland has two sections: the cortex and the medulla. While the cortex secretes cortisol, aldosterone, and other glucocorticoids, the medulla secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine.

The testes are associated with testosterone production. The pituitary gland secretes several hormones that regulate numerous processes throughout the body. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is linked to mediation of epinephrine production, but it is the sympathetic nervous system that is responsible for stimulating epinephrine release.

Example Question #2 : Help With Thymus And Adrenal Physiology

Which one of these adrenal gland structures is incorrectly paired with the hormone(s) it secretes?

Possible Answers:

Zona reticularis—gonadocorticoids

Adrenal medulla—catecholamines

Zona fasciculata—glucocorticoids

Zona glomerulosa—epinephrine

All of these are correctly paired

Correct answer:

Zona glomerulosa—epinephrine

Explanation:

The zona glomerulosa secretes mineralocorticoids (aldosterone). All other pairings are correct.

Note that the layers of the adrenal gland, organized from superficial to deep, are the capsule, the zona glomerulosa, the zona fasciculata, the zona reticularis, and the adrenal medulla.

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