BIOS 252 / BIOS252 Anatomy and Physiology II Exam 3
Practice Test Actual 2025/2026 with Detailed
Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+
Graded
Section 1: Endocrine System (14 Questions)
Q1: Which endocrine gland is often called the "master gland" because it secretes
hormones that regulate the function of several other endocrine glands?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Pineal gland
C. Anterior pituitary gland [CORRECT]
D. Adrenal gland
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The anterior pituitary gland secretes tropic hormones such as TSH, ACTH,
FSH, and LH that regulate the thyroid, adrenal cortex, and gonads, earning it the
designation "master gland."
Q2: A patient with a pituitary adenoma presents with excessive growth of the hands,
feet, and jaw. Which hormone is most likely being hypersecreted?
A. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
B. Adrenocorticotropic hormone
C. Growth hormone [CORRECT]
D. Prolactin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Excess growth hormone in adults causes acromegaly, characterized by
progressive enlargement of the bones in the hands, feet, and facial structures due to
continued appositional growth.
Q3: Which hormone is synthesized by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets and
promotes cellular uptake of glucose?
A. Glucagon
B. Insulin [CORRECT]
,C. Somatostatin
D. Amylin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin is produced by pancreatic beta cells and facilitates glucose
transport into cells, promotes glycogenesis and lipogenesis, and lowers blood
glucose concentrations.
Q4: A patient with primary hyperthyroidism would be expected to demonstrate which
pattern of thyroid laboratory values?
A. Low T3 and T4 with elevated TSH
B. Elevated T3 and T4 with low TSH [CORRECT]
C. Low T3, T4, and TSH
D. Elevated T3, T4, and TSH
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In primary hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland autonomously overproduces
T3 and T4, which exerts negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary,
suppressing TSH secretion.
Q5: Which hormone is secreted by the parathyroid glands in response to low blood
calcium and increases serum calcium levels?
A. Calcitonin
B. Parathyroid hormone [CORRECT]
C. Aldosterone
D. Cortisol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Parathyroid hormone stimulates osteoclast activity, increases renal
calcium reabsorption, and promotes intestinal calcium absorption through vitamin D
activation, thereby raising blood calcium.
Q6: A patient with Addison's disease is most likely to present with which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hypernatremia and hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia [CORRECT]
C. Hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia
D. Hypochloremia and hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Addison's disease involves destruction of the adrenal cortex causing
aldosterone deficiency, which leads to renal sodium loss, potassium retention, and
hypotension.
Q7: Which cells of the adrenal medulla synthesize and release epinephrine and
norepinephrine?
A. Zona glomerulosa cells
B. Zona fasciculata cells
C. Chromaffin cells [CORRECT]
D. Zona reticularis cells
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chromaffin cells are modified postganglionic sympathetic neurons in the
adrenal medulla that synthesize and secrete catecholamines directly into the
bloodstream.
Q8: A patient with diabetes insipidus produces large volumes of dilute urine. Which
hormone deficiency causes this condition?
A. Insulin
B. Antidiuretic hormone [CORRECT]
C. Aldosterone
D. Atrial natriuretic peptide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus results from insufficient antidiuretic hormone or renal
unresponsiveness to ADH, preventing water reabsorption in the collecting ducts and
producing large volumes of dilute urine.
Q9: Melatonin is secreted by which endocrine gland to regulate circadian rhythms?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Pineal gland [CORRECT]
C. Thymus
D. Hypothalamus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pineal gland synthesizes melatonin from serotonin in response to
darkness and regulates circadian rhythms and the sleep-wake cycle.
Q10: A patient presents with moon face, buffalo hump, abdominal striae, and
hyperglycemia. Which endocrine disorder best explains this clinical picture?
A. Addison's disease
Practice Test Actual 2025/2026 with Detailed
Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+
Graded
Section 1: Endocrine System (14 Questions)
Q1: Which endocrine gland is often called the "master gland" because it secretes
hormones that regulate the function of several other endocrine glands?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Pineal gland
C. Anterior pituitary gland [CORRECT]
D. Adrenal gland
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The anterior pituitary gland secretes tropic hormones such as TSH, ACTH,
FSH, and LH that regulate the thyroid, adrenal cortex, and gonads, earning it the
designation "master gland."
Q2: A patient with a pituitary adenoma presents with excessive growth of the hands,
feet, and jaw. Which hormone is most likely being hypersecreted?
A. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
B. Adrenocorticotropic hormone
C. Growth hormone [CORRECT]
D. Prolactin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Excess growth hormone in adults causes acromegaly, characterized by
progressive enlargement of the bones in the hands, feet, and facial structures due to
continued appositional growth.
Q3: Which hormone is synthesized by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets and
promotes cellular uptake of glucose?
A. Glucagon
B. Insulin [CORRECT]
,C. Somatostatin
D. Amylin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin is produced by pancreatic beta cells and facilitates glucose
transport into cells, promotes glycogenesis and lipogenesis, and lowers blood
glucose concentrations.
Q4: A patient with primary hyperthyroidism would be expected to demonstrate which
pattern of thyroid laboratory values?
A. Low T3 and T4 with elevated TSH
B. Elevated T3 and T4 with low TSH [CORRECT]
C. Low T3, T4, and TSH
D. Elevated T3, T4, and TSH
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In primary hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland autonomously overproduces
T3 and T4, which exerts negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary,
suppressing TSH secretion.
Q5: Which hormone is secreted by the parathyroid glands in response to low blood
calcium and increases serum calcium levels?
A. Calcitonin
B. Parathyroid hormone [CORRECT]
C. Aldosterone
D. Cortisol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Parathyroid hormone stimulates osteoclast activity, increases renal
calcium reabsorption, and promotes intestinal calcium absorption through vitamin D
activation, thereby raising blood calcium.
Q6: A patient with Addison's disease is most likely to present with which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hypernatremia and hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia [CORRECT]
C. Hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia
D. Hypochloremia and hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Addison's disease involves destruction of the adrenal cortex causing
aldosterone deficiency, which leads to renal sodium loss, potassium retention, and
hypotension.
Q7: Which cells of the adrenal medulla synthesize and release epinephrine and
norepinephrine?
A. Zona glomerulosa cells
B. Zona fasciculata cells
C. Chromaffin cells [CORRECT]
D. Zona reticularis cells
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chromaffin cells are modified postganglionic sympathetic neurons in the
adrenal medulla that synthesize and secrete catecholamines directly into the
bloodstream.
Q8: A patient with diabetes insipidus produces large volumes of dilute urine. Which
hormone deficiency causes this condition?
A. Insulin
B. Antidiuretic hormone [CORRECT]
C. Aldosterone
D. Atrial natriuretic peptide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus results from insufficient antidiuretic hormone or renal
unresponsiveness to ADH, preventing water reabsorption in the collecting ducts and
producing large volumes of dilute urine.
Q9: Melatonin is secreted by which endocrine gland to regulate circadian rhythms?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Pineal gland [CORRECT]
C. Thymus
D. Hypothalamus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pineal gland synthesizes melatonin from serotonin in response to
darkness and regulates circadian rhythms and the sleep-wake cycle.
Q10: A patient presents with moon face, buffalo hump, abdominal striae, and
hyperglycemia. Which endocrine disorder best explains this clinical picture?
A. Addison's disease
