Human Anatomy and Physiology : Human Anatomy and Physiology

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

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Example Questions

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 fasciculata—glucocorticoids

All of these are correctly paired

Zona reticularis—gonadocorticoids

Zona glomerulosa—epinephrine

Adrenal medulla—catecholamines

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.

Example Question #3 : Help With Thymus And Adrenal Physiology

The adrenal glands are located just superior to which organ? 

Possible Answers:

Liver 

Parathyroid 

Anterior pituitary 

Thyroid 

Kidney

Correct answer:

Kidney

Explanation:

The adrenal glands are located above the upper end of each kidney. The adrenal medulla makes up the center of each gland, and produces epinephrine and norepinephrine. The adrenal cortex makes up the outer layer of the gland and produces glucocorticoids, gonadocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids. 

Example Question #4 : Help With Thymus And Adrenal Physiology

Within the adrenal glands, where are chromaffin cells located?

Possible Answers:

Zona glomerulosa 

Zona fasciculata

Adrenal capsule

Zona reticularis

Adrenal medulla 

Correct answer:

Adrenal medulla 

Explanation:

Chromaffin cells are found in the adrenal medulla (adrenal glands are located above the kidneys.) Chromaffin cells are regulated by preganglionic sympathetic fibers and release catecholamines, epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) into systemic circulation. The secreted epinephrine and norepinephrine play an important role in the "fight or flight" response elicited by the sympathetic nervous system. The zona glomerulosa is responsible for secreting aldosterone, the zona fasciculata is responsible for secreting cortisol (and a small amount of androgens) and the zona reticularis is primarily responsible for secreting androgens. 

Example Question #5 : Help With Thymus And Adrenal Physiology

Which of the following endocrine glands regulate the body's stress response?

Possible Answers:

Ovaries

Pancreas

Testes

Adrenal glands

Thryoid gland

Correct answer:

Adrenal glands

Explanation:

The adrenal glands, located superior to the kidneys, are responsible for secreting epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol in order to regulate the body's stress, or "fight-or-flight," response. The thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones and calcitonin. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes and hormones that regulate blood sugar. The ovaries and testes secrete sex hormones that regulate sexual development.

Example Question #6 : Help With Thymus And Adrenal Physiology

The adrenal medulla's preganglionic fibers fire directly onto which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Paravertebral chains

Pheochromocytoma

Chromaffin cells

Smooth muscle

Correct answer:

Chromaffin cells

Explanation:

The adrenal medulla is a specialized ganglion of the sympathetic nervous system. The adrenal medulla's preganglionic fibers synapse directly onto chromaffin cells located within the adrenal medulla. This causes the chromaffin cells to secrete epinephrine (80%) and norepinephrine (20%) into the circulation.

A Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal medulla that secretes excessive amounts of catecholamines.

Example Question #7 : Help With Thymus And Adrenal Physiology

Mineralocorticoids are produced in the __________ layer of the adrenal cortex and glucocorticoids are produced in the __________ layer of the adrenal cortex.

Possible Answers:

zona glomerulosa; adrenal medulla

zona glomerulosa; zona fasciculata

zona reticularis; zona fasciculata

zona fasciculata; zona glomerulosa

zona glomerulosa; zona reticularis

Correct answer:

zona glomerulosa; zona fasciculata

Explanation:

The three layers of the adrenal cortex are the zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis. The hormones produced in each layer are mineralcorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens, respectively.

The common way to help remember the layers of the adrenal cortex from superficial to deep is the acronym "GFR" and the respective hormones produced are "salt, sugar, and sex" hormones. Salt hormones=mineralocorticoids, sugar hormone=glucocorticoids, and sex hormones are the androgens.

Example Question #811 : Human Anatomy And Physiology

Which of the following is not a role of insulin?

Possible Answers:

Increases cellular uptake of potassium

Increases glycogenolysis

Increases glycogen synthesis and storage

Increases protein synthesis in muscles

Increases triglyceride storage

Correct answer:

Increases glycogenolysis

Explanation:

Insulin is made in the beta cells of the pancreas in response to ATP from glucose metabolism. Insulin inhibits glucagon release by alpha cells of the pancreas in a negative feedback mechanism to maintain constant blood glucose levels.

Insulin has several anabolic effects, including increased glucose transport in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, increased glycogen synthesis and storage, increased triglyceride storage, increased protein synthesis in muscles, and increased cellular uptake of potassium and amino acids. 

Glycogen is made by pancreatic alpha cells and is secreted in response to hypoglycemia, resulting in glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis to increase circulating blood glucose levels.

Example Question #812 : Human Anatomy And Physiology

Which of the following is not a function of bile?

Possible Answers:

Transportation and absorption of lipids

Cholesterol excretion

Digestion and absorption of protein

Antimicrobial activity

Emulsification of lipids

Correct answer:

Digestion and absorption of protein

Explanation:

Bile is composed of bile salts, phospholipids, cholesterol, bilirubin, water and ions. Bile functions in the emulsification and absorption of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins, as well as cholesterol excretion. Bile also has antimicrobial activity via membrane disruption. In the duodenum, bile will orient hydrophobic regions around a lipid micelle and provide hydrophilic interaction with the surrounding environment. The micelle can then be transported to the lacteals for introduction to the lymphatic system and absorption.

Bile is not involved in protein digestion; this is the function of proteases, such as trypsin.

Example Question #813 : Human Anatomy And Physiology

Which of the following correctly matches the pancreatic enzyme with its function?

Possible Answers:

Caboxypeptidase aids in carbohydrate digestion

Lipases aid in protein digestion

Trypsin aids in carbohydrate digestion

Proteases aid in fat digestion

Amylase aids in starch digestion

Correct answer:

Amylase aids in starch digestion

Explanation:

Pancreatic amylase is responsible for starch digestion in the duodenum. Salivary amylase also aids in this process, and is introduced early in digestion in the mouth.

Proteases like trypsin are responsible for cleaving proteins. Carboxypeptidase is also involved in specific protein digestion. Lipases are involved in lipid and fat digestion. All of these enzymes are introduced in the duodenum of the small intestine, where the majority of chemical digestion occurs.

Example Question #4 : Help With Pancreas, Liver, And Kidney Physiology

The kidneys can control blood pressure. Select the correct sequence of events resulting from someone becoming dehydrated.

Possible Answers:

Angiotensin I is converted to angiotensin II by angiotensin converting enzyme, the kidneys secrete renin, the adrenal glands secrete aldosterone, aldosterone causes the kidneys to conserve sodium and water

Cells in the kidneys secret renin into the blood stream, renin activates angiotensinogen, angiotensin I is converted to angiotensin II by angiotensin converting enzyme, the adrenal glands secrete aldosterone, aldosterone acts on kidneys to conserve sodium and water

The kidneys secret renin, angiotensin is converted to angiotensin II, the adrenal glands secrete aldosterone, aldosterone causes the kidneys to conserve water.

The adrenal glands secrete aldosterone, which converts angiotensinogen in the blood to angiotensin II, angiotensin II causes the kidneys to conserve water

The kidneys secrete renin, which converts angiotensinogen into angiotensin I, the adrenal glands secrete antidiuretic hormone, which causes the kidneys to conserve water

Correct answer:

Cells in the kidneys secret renin into the blood stream, renin activates angiotensinogen, angiotensin I is converted to angiotensin II by angiotensin converting enzyme, the adrenal glands secrete aldosterone, aldosterone acts on kidneys to conserve sodium and water

Explanation:

The road back to homeostasis starts with cells in the kidneys detecting decreased blood volume. The kidneys then secrete renin. Renin activates angiotensinogen (produced by the liver) in the blood. The renin-activated peptide is called angiotensin I and when it passes through the pulmonary circuit, it is converted to angiotensin II by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II is a vasoconstrictor and it causes the adrenal glands to secrete aldosterone. Aldosterone acts directly on the kidneys to conserve sodium, which stimulates the release of antidiuretic hormone from the posterior pituitary, and thereby increase the blood volume and pressure.

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