BIOD 152: Module 3 Exam Portage Learning Questions and
Answers 2026 Practice Set
BIOD 152: Module 3 Endocrine & Special Senses Test Bank
1. Which gland is often referred to as the "Master Gland" because it regulates
many other endocrine glands?
A. Thyroid
B. Adrenal
C. Pituitary (Hypophysis)
D. Pancreas
Answer: C
Rationale: The pituitary gland, specifically the anterior lobe, secretes several tropic
hormones that stimulate other glands like the thyroid and adrenals.
2. Steroid hormones are derived from which molecule?
A. Amino acids
B. Peptides
C. Cholesterol
D. Glucose
Answer: C
Rationale: Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble and synthesized from cholesterol,
allowing them to diffuse directly through the target cell membrane.
3. Which hormone is responsible for lowering blood glucose levels by facilitating
the transport of glucose into cells?
A. Glucagon
B. Insulin
C. Cortisol
D. Growth Hormone
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets and is essential
for reducing high blood sugar.
4. The "Posterior Pituitary" does not produce hormones; instead, it stores and
releases which two hormones produced by the hypothalamus?
A. TSH and ACTH
,B. ADH and Oxytocin
C. GH and Prolactin
D. LH and FSH
Answer: B
Rationale: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and Oxytocin are synthesized in the
hypothalamus and transported to the posterior pituitary for storage.
5. Which layer of the eye is the "Vascular Tunic" and contains the iris and ciliary
body?
A. Sclera
B. Retina
C. Choroid
D. Cornea
Answer: C
Rationale: The choroid is the middle, highly vascular layer that provides nutrients to the
retina and prevents light scattering.
6. The "Cochlea" is the organ responsible for which special sense?
A. Equilibrium
B. Vision
C. Hearing
D. Smell
Answer: C
Rationale: The cochlea contains the Spiral Organ (Organ of Corti), which converts
sound vibrations into nerve impulses.
7. Which hormone is released in response to low blood calcium levels to
stimulate osteoclast activity?
A. Calcitonin
B. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
C. Aldosterone
D. Thyroxine
Answer: B
Rationale: PTH increases blood calcium by pulling it from the bones, reabsorbing it in
the kidneys, and increasing absorption in the gut.
8. "Rods" in the retina are primarily responsible for:
A. Color vision
B. High-acuity vision
C. Dim-light and peripheral vision
, D. Movement of the lens
Answer: C
Rationale: Rods are highly sensitive to light but do not detect color, making them
essential for night vision.
9. The "Adrenal Medulla" secretes which two hormones during a sympathetic
response?
A. Cortisol and Aldosterone
B. Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
C. Insulin and Glucagon
D. Estrogen and Progesterone
Answer: B
Rationale: These catecholamines prolong the "fight-or-flight" response throughout the
body.
10. Which structure in the ear is responsible for "Dynamic Equilibrium" (rotational
movement)?
A. Utricle
B. Saccule
C. Semicircular Canals
D. Cochlea
Answer: C
Rationale: The crista ampullaris within the semicircular canals detects angular
acceleration of the head.
11. "Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus" is characterized by:
A. Insulin resistance
B. Overproduction of glucagon
C. Destruction of beta cells (insulin deficiency)
D. High levels of ADH
Answer: C
Rationale: Type 1 is an autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little to no
insulin.
12. The "Fovea Centralis" is the area of the retina with the highest:
A. Concentration of rods
B. Visual acuity (sharpness)
C. Blind spot
D. Blood flow
Answers 2026 Practice Set
BIOD 152: Module 3 Endocrine & Special Senses Test Bank
1. Which gland is often referred to as the "Master Gland" because it regulates
many other endocrine glands?
A. Thyroid
B. Adrenal
C. Pituitary (Hypophysis)
D. Pancreas
Answer: C
Rationale: The pituitary gland, specifically the anterior lobe, secretes several tropic
hormones that stimulate other glands like the thyroid and adrenals.
2. Steroid hormones are derived from which molecule?
A. Amino acids
B. Peptides
C. Cholesterol
D. Glucose
Answer: C
Rationale: Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble and synthesized from cholesterol,
allowing them to diffuse directly through the target cell membrane.
3. Which hormone is responsible for lowering blood glucose levels by facilitating
the transport of glucose into cells?
A. Glucagon
B. Insulin
C. Cortisol
D. Growth Hormone
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets and is essential
for reducing high blood sugar.
4. The "Posterior Pituitary" does not produce hormones; instead, it stores and
releases which two hormones produced by the hypothalamus?
A. TSH and ACTH
,B. ADH and Oxytocin
C. GH and Prolactin
D. LH and FSH
Answer: B
Rationale: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and Oxytocin are synthesized in the
hypothalamus and transported to the posterior pituitary for storage.
5. Which layer of the eye is the "Vascular Tunic" and contains the iris and ciliary
body?
A. Sclera
B. Retina
C. Choroid
D. Cornea
Answer: C
Rationale: The choroid is the middle, highly vascular layer that provides nutrients to the
retina and prevents light scattering.
6. The "Cochlea" is the organ responsible for which special sense?
A. Equilibrium
B. Vision
C. Hearing
D. Smell
Answer: C
Rationale: The cochlea contains the Spiral Organ (Organ of Corti), which converts
sound vibrations into nerve impulses.
7. Which hormone is released in response to low blood calcium levels to
stimulate osteoclast activity?
A. Calcitonin
B. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
C. Aldosterone
D. Thyroxine
Answer: B
Rationale: PTH increases blood calcium by pulling it from the bones, reabsorbing it in
the kidneys, and increasing absorption in the gut.
8. "Rods" in the retina are primarily responsible for:
A. Color vision
B. High-acuity vision
C. Dim-light and peripheral vision
, D. Movement of the lens
Answer: C
Rationale: Rods are highly sensitive to light but do not detect color, making them
essential for night vision.
9. The "Adrenal Medulla" secretes which two hormones during a sympathetic
response?
A. Cortisol and Aldosterone
B. Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
C. Insulin and Glucagon
D. Estrogen and Progesterone
Answer: B
Rationale: These catecholamines prolong the "fight-or-flight" response throughout the
body.
10. Which structure in the ear is responsible for "Dynamic Equilibrium" (rotational
movement)?
A. Utricle
B. Saccule
C. Semicircular Canals
D. Cochlea
Answer: C
Rationale: The crista ampullaris within the semicircular canals detects angular
acceleration of the head.
11. "Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus" is characterized by:
A. Insulin resistance
B. Overproduction of glucagon
C. Destruction of beta cells (insulin deficiency)
D. High levels of ADH
Answer: C
Rationale: Type 1 is an autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little to no
insulin.
12. The "Fovea Centralis" is the area of the retina with the highest:
A. Concentration of rods
B. Visual acuity (sharpness)
C. Blind spot
D. Blood flow
