Human Anatomy and Physiology : Help with Hormone Types
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Endocrine Physiology
How do steroid hormones affect their target organs?
They use a second messenger system to elicit an effect on target cells
They attach to protein receptors on the cell membrane
They enter the nucleus and affect the transcription of genes
They travel to target organs by floating freely in the bloodstream
They bind to receptors on the cell membrane in order to be activated, allowing them to directly enter the cell
They enter the nucleus and affect the transcription of genes
Steroid hormones are nonpolar hormones that require carrier proteins in order to travel through the bloodstream. Once they reach their target cell, they are able to enter the cell's nucleus and affect the transcription of certain genes. Since steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol they are small and nonpolar, allowing them to freely diffuse across the membrane without protein mediation.
In contrast, peptide hormones and tyrosine derivatives are unable to freely cross the membrane due to size. Since these hormones cannot directly enter the cell, they generally initiate second messenger signal cascades. Peptide hormones are able to freely circulate, while tyrosine derivatives bind to carrier proteins in the blood.
Example Question #2 : Endocrine And Reproductive Physiology
Which of the following is a steroid hormone?
Parathyroid hormone
Cortisol
Insulin
Epinephrine
Cortisol
Cortisol is the only steroid hormone listed, some other examples would be estrogen and androgens. Insulin and parathyroid hormones are peptide hormones. Epinephrine is a catecholamine, which is a tyrosine derivative.
Example Question #3 : Help With Hormone Types
Which of the following is not a steroid hormone?
Thyroid-stimulating hormone
Cortisol
Androgen
Aldosterone
Estrogen
Thyroid-stimulating hormone
Estrogen, androgen, progesterone, cortisol, and aldosterone are all steroid hormones. Thyroid-stimulating hormone belongs to the class of hormones that are proteins, glycoproteins, and peptide hormones. Specifically, thyroid-stimulating hormone is a glycoprotein.
Example Question #2 : Endocrine Physiology
Prostaglandins belong to what class of hormones?
Steroids
Eicosanoids
Retinoids
Proteins
Amines
Eicosanoids
Eicosanoids are local paracrine and autocrine agents that play an important role in inflammation. The eicosanoids include the thromboxanes, lipoxins, leukotrienes, and the prostaglandins.
Example Question #4 : Endocrine Physiology
Which of the following is not an example of a lipid-soluble hormone?
Prostaglandins
Cortisol
Thyroid hormones
Insulin
Estrogen
Insulin
Insulin belongs to the "proteins and peptides" class of hormones. The proteins and peptides are water-soluble hormones. Thyroid hormones, all steroids, retinoids, prostaglandins and vitamin D are all examples of lipid-soluble hormones. Note that even though thyroid hormones are derived from the amino acid tyrosine, they are insoluble in water, and are carried in the blood by proteins.
Example Question #3 : Systems Physiology
A particular hormone attaches to a receptor on its target organ and causes a secondary hormone signaling pathway to begin. What type of hormone is it?
Tropic
Hydrophobic
Initiation
Hydrophilic
Direct
Tropic
A direct hormone binds to its target organ and effects an immediate change. A tropic hormone causes a secondary messenger pathway to commence and effects a change at the end of the pathway resulting in the release of another hormone. Hydrophobic hormones refer to lipophilic molecules, while hydrophilic molecules are the opposite. An example of this is adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) released from the anterior pituitary. It's target is the adrenal cortex, and its action is to stimulate the adrenal cortex to release cortical hormones.
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