BIOD 102 Biology II Module 2 Exam
Portage Learning (2026/2027)
Section 1: Endocrine System Overview & Hormone Mechanisms
Section 2: Pancreatic Hormones – Insulin, Glucagon, Somatostatin
Section 3: Glucose Homeostasis & Diabetes
Section 4: Adrenal & Thyroid Interactions with Metabolism
Q1: A researcher is studying two hormones. Hormone A is large, hydrophilic, and derived from
amino acids. Hormone B is small, hydrophobic, and derived from cholesterol. Which statement
correctly describes their mechanism of action?
A. Hormone A will bind to intracellular receptors; Hormone B will bind to cell surface receptors.
B. Both hormones will bind to cell surface receptors and use second messengers.
C. Hormone A will bind to cell surface receptors; Hormone B will bind to intracellular
receptors.
D. Both hormones will diffuse directly into the nucleus to alter transcription.
Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale: Hydrophilic hormones (like peptides/proteins) cannot cross the cell membrane and
must bind to cell surface receptors. Hydrophobic hormones (steroids) can diffuse through the
membrane and bind to intracellular receptors (nuclear receptors).
Q2: Which of the following events occurs first when a steroid hormone binds to its receptor?
A. Activation of G-proteins.
B. Activation of Adenylyl Cyclase.
C. Translocation of the hormone-receptor complex into the nucleus.
D. Synthesis of a new protein.
.
,Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale: Steroid hormones bind to intracellular receptors, and the hormone-receptor complex
must translocate into the nucleus to bind to DNA and affect transcription (D). A and B describe
cell surface receptor signaling.
Q3: A hormone binds to a receptor on a target cell, activating a G-protein which then activates
Adenylyl Cyclase. This leads to an increase in intracellular cAMP. This signaling pathway is
characteristic of which class of hormones?
A. Steroid hormones
B. Thyroid hormones
C. Catecholamines (Epinephrine/Norepinephrine) and some peptides
D. Steroid and Thyroid hormones
Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale: Catecholamines (derived from tyrosine) and many peptide hormones utilize the G-
protein/Adenylyl Cyclase/cAMP pathway. Steroid and thyroid hormones (B, D) use intracellular
receptors.
Q4: Insulin binds to a receptor on a cell. What is the immediate enzymatic activity associated
with this receptor?
A. It acts as a G-protein.
B. It acts as a Tyrosine Kinase.
C. It acts as a Phospholipase C.
D. It acts as a Phosphodiesterase.
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: The insulin receptor is a Tyrosine Kinase receptor. Upon binding, it
autophosphorylates and phosphorylates target proteins (IRS-1) to initiate the signaling cascade.
Q5: Which of the following second messengers is associated with the signaling pathway that
increases intracellular calcium levels?
A. cAMP
.
, B. cGMP
C. IP3 (Inositol Triphosphate)
D. ATP
Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale: IP3 (along with DAG) is produced by Phospholipase C. IP3 binds to receptors on the
endoplasmic reticulum, triggering the release of stored calcium ions. cAMP (A) is associated
with the Gs/Adenylyl Cyclase pathway.
Q6: A patient is taking a drug that mimics a hormone continuously. Over time, the number of
receptors for that hormone on the target cell decreases. This process is known as:
A. Up-regulation
B. Down-regulation
C. Synergism
D. Permissiveness
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Down-regulation is a decrease in the number of receptors in response to high levels
of a hormone (or drug), decreasing the cell's sensitivity. Up-regulation (A) is an increase in
receptors.
Q7: Which term describes the situation where one hormone cannot exert its full effect without
the presence of another hormone?
A. Synergism
B. Antagonism
C. Permissiveness
D. Antagonist
Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale: Permissiveness is when a small amount of one hormone allows a second hormone to
exert its full effect (e.g., thyroid hormone is permissive for epinephrine's effect on lipolysis).
Synergism (A) is when two hormones together produce a greater effect.
.
Portage Learning (2026/2027)
Section 1: Endocrine System Overview & Hormone Mechanisms
Section 2: Pancreatic Hormones – Insulin, Glucagon, Somatostatin
Section 3: Glucose Homeostasis & Diabetes
Section 4: Adrenal & Thyroid Interactions with Metabolism
Q1: A researcher is studying two hormones. Hormone A is large, hydrophilic, and derived from
amino acids. Hormone B is small, hydrophobic, and derived from cholesterol. Which statement
correctly describes their mechanism of action?
A. Hormone A will bind to intracellular receptors; Hormone B will bind to cell surface receptors.
B. Both hormones will bind to cell surface receptors and use second messengers.
C. Hormone A will bind to cell surface receptors; Hormone B will bind to intracellular
receptors.
D. Both hormones will diffuse directly into the nucleus to alter transcription.
Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale: Hydrophilic hormones (like peptides/proteins) cannot cross the cell membrane and
must bind to cell surface receptors. Hydrophobic hormones (steroids) can diffuse through the
membrane and bind to intracellular receptors (nuclear receptors).
Q2: Which of the following events occurs first when a steroid hormone binds to its receptor?
A. Activation of G-proteins.
B. Activation of Adenylyl Cyclase.
C. Translocation of the hormone-receptor complex into the nucleus.
D. Synthesis of a new protein.
.
,Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale: Steroid hormones bind to intracellular receptors, and the hormone-receptor complex
must translocate into the nucleus to bind to DNA and affect transcription (D). A and B describe
cell surface receptor signaling.
Q3: A hormone binds to a receptor on a target cell, activating a G-protein which then activates
Adenylyl Cyclase. This leads to an increase in intracellular cAMP. This signaling pathway is
characteristic of which class of hormones?
A. Steroid hormones
B. Thyroid hormones
C. Catecholamines (Epinephrine/Norepinephrine) and some peptides
D. Steroid and Thyroid hormones
Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale: Catecholamines (derived from tyrosine) and many peptide hormones utilize the G-
protein/Adenylyl Cyclase/cAMP pathway. Steroid and thyroid hormones (B, D) use intracellular
receptors.
Q4: Insulin binds to a receptor on a cell. What is the immediate enzymatic activity associated
with this receptor?
A. It acts as a G-protein.
B. It acts as a Tyrosine Kinase.
C. It acts as a Phospholipase C.
D. It acts as a Phosphodiesterase.
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: The insulin receptor is a Tyrosine Kinase receptor. Upon binding, it
autophosphorylates and phosphorylates target proteins (IRS-1) to initiate the signaling cascade.
Q5: Which of the following second messengers is associated with the signaling pathway that
increases intracellular calcium levels?
A. cAMP
.
, B. cGMP
C. IP3 (Inositol Triphosphate)
D. ATP
Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale: IP3 (along with DAG) is produced by Phospholipase C. IP3 binds to receptors on the
endoplasmic reticulum, triggering the release of stored calcium ions. cAMP (A) is associated
with the Gs/Adenylyl Cyclase pathway.
Q6: A patient is taking a drug that mimics a hormone continuously. Over time, the number of
receptors for that hormone on the target cell decreases. This process is known as:
A. Up-regulation
B. Down-regulation
C. Synergism
D. Permissiveness
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale: Down-regulation is a decrease in the number of receptors in response to high levels
of a hormone (or drug), decreasing the cell's sensitivity. Up-regulation (A) is an increase in
receptors.
Q7: Which term describes the situation where one hormone cannot exert its full effect without
the presence of another hormone?
A. Synergism
B. Antagonism
C. Permissiveness
D. Antagonist
Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale: Permissiveness is when a small amount of one hormone allows a second hormone to
exert its full effect (e.g., thyroid hormone is permissive for epinephrine's effect on lipolysis).
Synergism (A) is when two hormones together produce a greater effect.
.
