MCAT Biology : Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #604 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types

Which of the following statements is false?

Possible Answers:

Aldosterone is created in the adrenal cortex

Glucagon is created in the pancreas

Follicle-stimulating hormone is created in the anterior pituitary gland

Oxytocin is created in the posterior pituitary gland

Correct answer:

Oxytocin is created in the posterior pituitary gland

Explanation:

The posterior pituitary gland does in fact secrete oxytocin; however, all of the hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary gland are created in the hypothalamus. The hormones are then sent to the posterior pituitary gland in order to be secreted.

The anterior pituitary creates and secretes follicle-stimulating hormone. The pancreas creates and secretes glucagon and insulin. The adrenal cortex creates and secretes aldosterone.

Example Question #605 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types

Which hormone is secreted from the anterior pituitary?

Possible Answers:

Oxytocin

Vasopressin

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Somatostatin

Correct answer:

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Explanation:

The pituitary gland is comprised for the anterior and posterior pituitary. The anterior pituitary arises from the oral ectoderm, while the posterior pituitary arises from the neuroectoderm. Hormones are secreted from the anterior pituitary in response to stress or to promote milk production, growth, or reproduction. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is required for growth of the reproductive system.

The posterior pituitary is responsible for production and secretion of neurohypophysical hormones, including oxytocin and vasopressin. Somatostatin is produced from within the digestive system, and signals to the anterior pituitary to inhibit growth hormone secretion. 

The hormones of the anterior pituitary can be remembered by using the pneumonic "FLAT PEG." The anterior pituitary secretes follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin, endorphins, and growth hormone.

Example Question #611 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types

The hypothalamus uses two specialized types of neuron to stimulate the pituitary. Magnocellular neurons carry hormones directly to the posterior pituitary. Parvocellular neurons secrete hormones into the hypophyseal portal system, where they are delivered to the anterior pituitary.

Which of the following hormones is not secreted by the parvocellular neurons of the hypothalamus?

Possible Answers:

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)

Vasopressin

All of these are secreted by parvocellular neurons

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

Correct answer:

Vasopressin

Explanation:

The parvocellular neurons of the hypothalamus are responsible for secreting numerous hormones into the portal system, which are then delivered to the anterior pituitary. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) are released from the parvocellular neurons. TRH stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary, while CRH stimulates the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone from the anterior pituitary.

Vasopressin and oxytocin are secreted from the magnocellular neurons of the hypothalamus, and are released from the posterior pituitary.

Example Question #612 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types

The posterior pituitary is responsible for secreting which of the following hormones?

Possible Answers:

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Oxytocin

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Correct answer:

Oxytocin

Explanation:

The posterior pituitary is under neuronal control and is responsible for releasing vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) and oxytocin.

In contrast, the anterior pituitary is under hormonal control from the hypothalamus, and is responsible for releasing growth hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin. 

Example Question #613 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types

The anterior pituitary is responsible for secreting all of the following hormones except __________.

Possible Answers:

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Vasopressin

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Correct answer:

Vasopressin

Explanation:

The anterior pituitary is responsible for secreting hormones into the blood stream, once their respective releasing factors from the hypothalamus arrive through the hypothalamus-pituitary portal system. The anterior pituitary releases growth hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing-hormone, and prolactin.

The posterior pituitary is under neuronal control and releases vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) and oxytocin.

Example Question #614 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types

Which of the following correctly matches a gland to the function of a hormone it releases?

Possible Answers:

Anterior pituitary releases a hormone to cause uterine contractions

Parathyroid releases a hormone to reduce blood calcium

Posterior pituitary releases a hormone to cause water retention in kidneys

Adrenal cortex releases a hormone to raise blood glucose

Posterior pituitary releases a hormone to cause follicle development

Correct answer:

Posterior pituitary releases a hormone to cause water retention in kidneys

Explanation:

The posterior pituitary releases antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin), which causes water retention in the kidneys, making this the correct answer.

Follicle-stimulating hormone causes follicle development, and is released from the anterior (not the posterior) pituitary.

Oxytocin causes uterine contractions, and is released from the posterior (not the anterior) pituitary.

Calcitonin helps to reduce blood calcium, and is released from the thyroid. Parathyroid hormone acts counter to calcitonin, and increases blood calcium.

Glucagon helps to increase blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogen break-down, and is released from the pancreas (not the adrenal gland).

Example Question #615 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types

Which of the following hormones is NOT released by the anterior pituitary?

Possible Answers:

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone

Luteinizing hormone

Prolactin

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Correct answer:

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone

Explanation:

The anterior pituitary releases a number of key hormones. These hormones can be memorized using the anagram "FLAT PEG."

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Prolactin (PRL)

Endorphins

Growth hormone (GH)

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone is actually released from the hypothalamus to trigger the anterior pituitary to secrete TSH.

Example Question #11 : Endocrine System

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

Possible Answers:

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Growth hormone

Prolactin

Oxytocin

Correct answer:

Oxytocin

Explanation:

Oxytocin is produced by the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary gland. Upon stimulation, oxytocin is released from the posterior pituitary to cause lactation and uterine contractions during pregnancy, though it has also been linked to some social phenomena.

Growth hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prolactin are produced and secreted from the anterior pituitary gland. Growth hormone promotes bone elongation and cell division. Follicle-stimulating hormone works to regulate the menstrual cycle. Prolactin stimulates milk production, while oxytocin stimulates the actual act of lactation.

Example Question #11 : Pituitary And Hypothalamus

A researcher is analyzing an individual with dwarfism who has a height of 4’6”. Which of the following is likely true regarding this individual?

Possible Answers:

The LH is not synthesized properly in the anterior pituitary gland

The hGH is not synthesized properly in the hypothalamus

The hGH is not synthesized properly in the anterior pituitary gland

The LH is not synthesized properly in the hypothalamus

Correct answer:

The hGH is not synthesized properly in the anterior pituitary gland

Explanation:

A major player in a growing person is the human growth hormone (hGH). hGH is a peptide hormone released from the anterior pituitary gland. Recall that the hormones secreted from the anterior pituitary gland are synthesized in the gland itself. It receives signaling hormones from the hypothalamus which tells the anterior pituitary gland to start synthesizing a particular hormone. In the case of hGH, hypothalamus releases GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone) which signals the anterior pituitary to signal and release hGH. Since this person has a short stature, the person likely has a problem with synthesis or release of hGH from anterior pituitary gland.

Example Question #12 : Pituitary And Hypothalamus

Which of the following is false regarding the posterior and the anterior pituitary gland?

I. Posterior pituitary gland receives hormones that are synthesized in the hypothalamus

II. Both glands release peptide and steroid hormones

III. Both glands synthesize hormones that are released after they receive a signal from the hypothalamus

Possible Answers:

I and II

II and III

II only

I only

Correct answer:

II and III

Explanation:

Posterior pituitary gland has a direct connection to the hypothalamus whereas the anterior pituitary gland does not. The hormones secreted from posterior pituitary gland (oxytocin and ADH) are synthesized in the hypothalamus. Since there is a direct connection between the hypothalamus and the posterior pituitary, the synthesized hormones are transported directly into the posterior pituitary where they are stored and secreted. 

Both glands are involved in releasing several important hormones; however, all the hormones released by both pituitary glands are peptide hormones. Steroid hormones are typically synthesized in the gonads and in the adrenal medulla. 

Posterior pituitary does not synthesize its own hormones. As mentioned earlier, it receives hormones synthesized in the hypothalamus. Posterior pituitary serves to store and secrete the hormones. Anterior pituitary, on the other hand, can synthesize hormones. It often receives a signaling hormone from hypothalamus that initiates synthesis and release of hormones. For example, growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) released from the hypothalamus signals the anterior pituitary to synthesize growth hormone.

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