All MCAT Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #104 : Endocrine System
Gigantism is a rare condition that is the result of hypersecretion of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary during childhood. Symptoms of gigantism include abnormal height (several standard deviations above average) and abnormal growth of the face, hands, and feet.
Functions of growth hormone are best decribed by which of the following?
Increased glyconeogenesis in the liver and increased muscle mass
Increased protein synthesis and decreased mineralization of bone
Increased liver uptake of glucose and decreased lipolysis
Increased calcium retention and stimulation of the immune system
Increased calcium retention and stimulation of the immune system
Growth hormone (GH) causes increased calcium retention and stimulation of the immune system. It reduces liver uptake of glucose and increases lipolysis. Growth hormone also causes increased protein synthesis, muscle mass, bone mineralization, and gluconeogenesis.
Example Question #105 : Endocrine System
Which anterior pituitary hormone is most responsible for facilitating sperm development in the testes?
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
The following answer choices are all examples of anterior pituitary hormones, however, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is the hormone that acts on Sertoli cells in the testes to nourish sperm and facilitate spermatogenesis.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) acts on the testes, but works on Leydig cells in producing testosterone. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) do not act on the testes.
Example Question #42 : Hormone Mechanisms And Effects
Which of the following hormones would show the highest levels when the parasympathetic nervous system is active?
Aldosterone
Insulin
Cortisol
Epinephrine
Insulin
The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "rest and digest" functions of the body. When digesting, the body will be storing nutrients, converting them to fat and glycogen in the liver and other tissues of the body. Insulin is responsible for the lowering of blood glucose levels and storing glucose as glycogen in the liver.
All the other hormone options would be seen when the body is active and under stress. Cortisol is triggered during long-term stress, while epinephrine is secreted in response to an immediate threat. Aldosterone is raised when water levels in the body are low, a sign of possible dehydration or drought.
Example Question #71 : Hormones
What hormone is secreted to control glucose levels when blood glucose is high?
Acetylcholine
Oxytocin
Glucagon
Insulin
Insulin
When blood glucose is high, beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas sense the high glucose and release insulin. Insulin binds to cells throughout the body and encourages production of additional glucose transporters on the cell surface in order to take up more glucose from the blood.
Glucagon, in contrast, is secreted when glucose levels are low and acts to prevent glucose uptake from the blood. It also stimulates gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis.
Example Question #72 : Hormones
Which hormone is secreted to control blood glucose levels when blood glucose is low?
Acetylcholine
Prolactin
Insulin
Glucagon
Glucagon
When blood glucose is low, alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas sense the low glucose and release glucagon. Glucagon acts to prevent glucose uptake from the blood and stimulates gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis in the liver.
In contrast, insulin binds to cells throughout the body when glucose levels are high. Insulin encourages production of additional glucose transporters on the cell surface in order to take up more glucose from the blood.
Example Question #45 : Hormone Mechanisms And Effects
Decreased blood glucose levels would trigger release of all of the following hormones except __________.
growth hormone
glucagon
insulin
cortisol
insulin
A decreased blood glucose level would cause growth hormone, glucagon, and cortisol release to protect from the effects of hypoglycemia. Growth hormone promotes cell replication, which indirectly stimulates other pathways to create free glucose. Glucagon increases glucose levels by stimulating gluconeogenesis in the liver and glycogen breakdown in the liver. Cortisol acts to increase free fatty acid levels and increases gluconeogenesis.
Insulin promotes glucose sequestration, further decreasing blood glucose.
Example Question #711 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types
Which hormone decreases calcium levels in the blood?
Glucagon
Parathyroid hormone
Calcitonin
Insulin
Calcitonin
Calcitonin, produced by the thyroid, decreases (or "tones down") the blood calcium level. Calcitonin decreases the amount of calcium in the blood by inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts, which break down bone and release calcium in the bloodstream. By inhibiting osteoclasts, calcitonin directly reduces the blood calcium level.
Parathyroid hormone, released by the parathyroid gland, increases the blood calcium level. Parathyroid hormone stimulates osteoclasts to break down bone and release calcium into the bloodstream. Insulin and glucagon are produced by the pancreas and are responsible for the regulation of blood glucose levels. Insulin lowers blood glucose and increases glycogen stores, while glucagon increases blood glucose by stimulating the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver.
Example Question #72 : Hormones
What is the most likely hormonal response immediately following a significant blood loss?
Increased level of ACTH
Decreased level of insulin
Increased level of ADH
Decreased level of ADH
Increased level of calcitonin
Increased level of ADH
Significant amount of blood loss results in a sudden and large drop in blood pressure due to the decreased fluid volume in the body. To compensate for this change, the body will attempt to increase fluid retention. This is directly accomplished by increasing the level of ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) that allows reabsorption of water in the kidneys. Therefore, increased ADH level is the best response.
Example Question #113 : Endocrine System
The long-term use of corticosteroids may cause all of the following side-effects except for which of the following?
Elevated blood glucose levels
Glycogenesis
Immunodepression
Altered fat metabolism
Glycogenesis
All of the following are examples of the effects that elevated blood cortisol levels have on the body's metabolism. Cortisol is glucocorticoid that is released in response to stress. One main function of cortisol is also to elevate blood glucose levels after long periods of fasting. Glycogenesis is incompatible with this effector response, and thus is the correct answer.
Example Question #80 : Hormones
Carbonic anhydrase is a very important enzyme that is utilized by the body. The enzyme catalyzes the following reaction:
A class of drugs that inhibits this enzyme is carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg. acetazolamide, brinzolamide, dorzolamide). These drugs are commonly prescribed in patients with glaucoma, hypertension, heart failure, high altitude sickness and for the treatment of basic drugs overdose.
In patients with hypertension, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors will prevent the reabsorption of sodium chloride in the proximal tubule of the kidney. When sodium is reabsorbed back into the blood, the molecule creates an electrical force. This electrical force then pulls water along with it into the blood. As more water enters the blood, the blood volume increase. By preventing the reabsorption of sodium, water reabsorption is reduced and the blood pressure decreases.
When mountain climbing, the atmospheric pressure is lowered as the altitude increases. As a result of less oxygen into the lungs, ventilation increases. From the equation above, hyperventilation will result in more being expired. Based on Le Chatelier’s principle, the reaction will shift to the left. Since there is more bicarbonate than protons in the body, the blood will become more basic (respiratory alkalosis). To prevent such life threatening result, one would take a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor to prevent the reaction from shifting to the left.
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are useful in patients with a drug overdose that is acidic. The lumen of the collecting tubule is nonpolar. Due to the lumen's characteristic, molecules that are also nonpolar and uncharged are able to cross the membrane and re-enter the circulatory system. Since carbonic anhydrase inhibitors alkalize the urine, acidic molecules stay in a charged state.
Although carbonic anhydrase inhibitors prevent the reabsorption of water, dehydration rarely occurs. Which of following hormones play an important role in water regulation?
Hydratonin
Epinephrine
Antidiuretic hormone
Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine
Antidiuretic hormone
When the body is dehydrated, the posterior pituitary will secrete antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH binds to the collecting tubules to allow for water to be reabsorbed.
Certified Tutor
All MCAT Biology Resources
