Portage Pathophysiology Module 9 Exam
with Question and Well Verified
ANSWERS (actual ANSWERS) @2026!!!
1. Define endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine actions.
Answer: Endocrine: Hormones are released into circulation to act on a target organ.
Paracrine: Hormones act locally on cells close to where they are released. Autocrine:
Hormones produce a biologic action on the cell that released them.
2. What are the different structural types of hormones?
Answer: (1) amines and amino acids; (2) peptides and proteins; and (3) steroids, which
are made from cholesterol .
3. What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Answer: The hypothalamus links the nervous system to the endocrine system. It
regulates homeostasis, body temperature, hunger, behavior, emotion, and pain. The
hypothalamus produces releasing hormones, which stimulate the pituitary to release
stimulating hormones .
4. What is the role of the pituitary gland?
Answer: The pituitary gland is known as the "master gland," since it stimulates target
organs to secrete their hormones .
5. Explain the concept of negative feedback and give an example.
Answer: Negative feedback is how the body maintains homeostasis or equilibrium. The
brain constantly monitors hormone levels to keep levels within a certain range,
preventing over-secretion. The action of ADH (which dilutes the blood) is an example.
Once blood is dilute, the hypothalamus detects this and stops releasing ADH .
6. Explain the concept of positive feedback and give an example.
, Answer: Positive feedback enhances or increases the amount of hormone released. One
example is oxytocin during childbirth. The hormone causes the uterus to contract, and
this action causes more oxytocin to be released, strengthening the contractions .
7. Explain the ways in which hormones can be over-secreted.
Answer: Increased hormone secretion can occur from: (1) the target gland over-
secreting due to pathology; (2) the pituitary or hypothalamus over-stimulating the
target gland; (3) hormones being produced from a different site (e.g., a hormone-
producing tumor); or (4) a hyperactive genetic mutation of the target hormone
receptors .
8. How does decreased hormone secretion occur?
Answer: Decreased hormone secretion can occur from: (1) a congenital or acquired
disorder of the target gland; (2) the pituitary gland not secreting enough stimulating
hormone; (3) the hormone itself being defective; (4) the receptors of the target organ
not responding; or (5) the hypothalamus not secreting enough releasing hormone .
9. T/F: An endocrine hormone is released into circulation to act on a target organ.
Answer: True
10. T/F: A paracrine action occurs when a hormone exerts an action on the cells
that produced it.
Answer: False (This describes an autocrine action).
11. T/F: Target cells must have receptors to recognize a hormone and translate the
signal into a cellular response.
Answer: True
12. T/F: Hormones travel through the bloodstream attached to transport carriers
only.
Answer: False (Some travel freely).
13. T/F: Most hormones are controlled through positive feedback.
Answer: False (Most are controlled through negative feedback).
with Question and Well Verified
ANSWERS (actual ANSWERS) @2026!!!
1. Define endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine actions.
Answer: Endocrine: Hormones are released into circulation to act on a target organ.
Paracrine: Hormones act locally on cells close to where they are released. Autocrine:
Hormones produce a biologic action on the cell that released them.
2. What are the different structural types of hormones?
Answer: (1) amines and amino acids; (2) peptides and proteins; and (3) steroids, which
are made from cholesterol .
3. What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Answer: The hypothalamus links the nervous system to the endocrine system. It
regulates homeostasis, body temperature, hunger, behavior, emotion, and pain. The
hypothalamus produces releasing hormones, which stimulate the pituitary to release
stimulating hormones .
4. What is the role of the pituitary gland?
Answer: The pituitary gland is known as the "master gland," since it stimulates target
organs to secrete their hormones .
5. Explain the concept of negative feedback and give an example.
Answer: Negative feedback is how the body maintains homeostasis or equilibrium. The
brain constantly monitors hormone levels to keep levels within a certain range,
preventing over-secretion. The action of ADH (which dilutes the blood) is an example.
Once blood is dilute, the hypothalamus detects this and stops releasing ADH .
6. Explain the concept of positive feedback and give an example.
, Answer: Positive feedback enhances or increases the amount of hormone released. One
example is oxytocin during childbirth. The hormone causes the uterus to contract, and
this action causes more oxytocin to be released, strengthening the contractions .
7. Explain the ways in which hormones can be over-secreted.
Answer: Increased hormone secretion can occur from: (1) the target gland over-
secreting due to pathology; (2) the pituitary or hypothalamus over-stimulating the
target gland; (3) hormones being produced from a different site (e.g., a hormone-
producing tumor); or (4) a hyperactive genetic mutation of the target hormone
receptors .
8. How does decreased hormone secretion occur?
Answer: Decreased hormone secretion can occur from: (1) a congenital or acquired
disorder of the target gland; (2) the pituitary gland not secreting enough stimulating
hormone; (3) the hormone itself being defective; (4) the receptors of the target organ
not responding; or (5) the hypothalamus not secreting enough releasing hormone .
9. T/F: An endocrine hormone is released into circulation to act on a target organ.
Answer: True
10. T/F: A paracrine action occurs when a hormone exerts an action on the cells
that produced it.
Answer: False (This describes an autocrine action).
11. T/F: Target cells must have receptors to recognize a hormone and translate the
signal into a cellular response.
Answer: True
12. T/F: Hormones travel through the bloodstream attached to transport carriers
only.
Answer: False (Some travel freely).
13. T/F: Most hormones are controlled through positive feedback.
Answer: False (Most are controlled through negative feedback).
