BIOL251 HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
I W/LAB 2026 | MODULE 7 EXAM REVIEW
100+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALE
SECTION 1: THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM – OVERVIEW &
HORMONE CLASSIFICATION
1. Which of the following best describes the primary
difference between endocrine and exocrine glands?
A) Endocrine glands secrete into ducts; exocrine glands
secrete into blood
B) Endocrine glands secrete hormones into the
bloodstream; exocrine glands secrete products into ducts
C) Endocrine glands are always unicellular; exocrine
glands are always multicellular
D) Exocrine glands only secrete enzymes; endocrine
glands only secrete proteins
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Endocrine glands are ductless and release
hormones directly into the interstitial fluid and bloodstream
for body-wide distribution. Exocrine glands secrete their
products (e.g., sweat, enzymes, mucus) through ducts onto
epithelial surfaces. This fundamental distinction is critical for
understanding hormone function and regulation .
2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of
hormones?
A) They are chemical messengers
B) They are secreted by endocrine glands
C) They are transported via the blood
D) They act specifically on all cells equally
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hormones are specific chemical messengers that
only affect target cells with appropriate receptors. They do
not act on all cells equally—this specificity is a defining
feature of hormonal signaling. This concept is central to
understanding hormone mechanisms of action .
3. Amino acid-based hormones are classified as:
, A) Lipid-soluble
B) Water-soluble
C) Steroid hormones
D) Derived from cholesterol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Amino acid-based hormones (including proteins,
peptides, and amines) are water-soluble and cannot easily
cross the plasma membrane. They bind to cell surface
receptors and initiate intracellular signaling cascades via
second messengers. This distinguishes them from lipid-soluble
steroid hormones .
4. Which of the following hormones is lipid-soluble?
A) Insulin
B) Epinephrine
C) Cortisol
D) Growth hormone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cortisol is a steroid hormone derived from
cholesterol, making it lipid-soluble. Lipid-soluble hormones can
, cross the plasma membrane and bind to intracellular
receptors, directly affecting gene transcription. Insulin,
epinephrine, and growth hormone are all water-soluble peptide
or amine hormones .
5. Lipid-soluble hormones typically exert their effects by:
A) Activating G proteins on the cell surface
B) Directly entering the cell and altering gene expression
C) Opening ion channels in the plasma membrane
D) Triggering a cascade of second messengers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lipid-soluble hormones (steroid and thyroid
hormones) diffuse through the plasma membrane and bind to
intracellular receptors, often in the nucleus. The hormone-
receptor complex then acts as a transcription factor, directly
altering gene expression. This is a slower but more prolonged
mechanism compared to water-soluble hormones .
6. Water-soluble hormones exert their effects by:
A) Diffusing through the plasma membrane
I W/LAB 2026 | MODULE 7 EXAM REVIEW
100+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALE
SECTION 1: THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM – OVERVIEW &
HORMONE CLASSIFICATION
1. Which of the following best describes the primary
difference between endocrine and exocrine glands?
A) Endocrine glands secrete into ducts; exocrine glands
secrete into blood
B) Endocrine glands secrete hormones into the
bloodstream; exocrine glands secrete products into ducts
C) Endocrine glands are always unicellular; exocrine
glands are always multicellular
D) Exocrine glands only secrete enzymes; endocrine
glands only secrete proteins
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Endocrine glands are ductless and release
hormones directly into the interstitial fluid and bloodstream
for body-wide distribution. Exocrine glands secrete their
products (e.g., sweat, enzymes, mucus) through ducts onto
epithelial surfaces. This fundamental distinction is critical for
understanding hormone function and regulation .
2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of
hormones?
A) They are chemical messengers
B) They are secreted by endocrine glands
C) They are transported via the blood
D) They act specifically on all cells equally
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hormones are specific chemical messengers that
only affect target cells with appropriate receptors. They do
not act on all cells equally—this specificity is a defining
feature of hormonal signaling. This concept is central to
understanding hormone mechanisms of action .
3. Amino acid-based hormones are classified as:
, A) Lipid-soluble
B) Water-soluble
C) Steroid hormones
D) Derived from cholesterol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Amino acid-based hormones (including proteins,
peptides, and amines) are water-soluble and cannot easily
cross the plasma membrane. They bind to cell surface
receptors and initiate intracellular signaling cascades via
second messengers. This distinguishes them from lipid-soluble
steroid hormones .
4. Which of the following hormones is lipid-soluble?
A) Insulin
B) Epinephrine
C) Cortisol
D) Growth hormone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cortisol is a steroid hormone derived from
cholesterol, making it lipid-soluble. Lipid-soluble hormones can
, cross the plasma membrane and bind to intracellular
receptors, directly affecting gene transcription. Insulin,
epinephrine, and growth hormone are all water-soluble peptide
or amine hormones .
5. Lipid-soluble hormones typically exert their effects by:
A) Activating G proteins on the cell surface
B) Directly entering the cell and altering gene expression
C) Opening ion channels in the plasma membrane
D) Triggering a cascade of second messengers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lipid-soluble hormones (steroid and thyroid
hormones) diffuse through the plasma membrane and bind to
intracellular receptors, often in the nucleus. The hormone-
receptor complex then acts as a transcription factor, directly
altering gene expression. This is a slower but more prolonged
mechanism compared to water-soluble hormones .
6. Water-soluble hormones exert their effects by:
A) Diffusing through the plasma membrane