BIOD 151 Essential Human Anatomy & Physiology I: Endocrine System
Exam 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which of the following describes the primary difference between endocrine
and exocrine glands?
A. Endocrine glands are only found in the brain, while exocrine glands are peripheral.
B. Exocrine glands secrete hormones, while endocrine glands secrete enzymes.
C. Endocrine glands secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, while exocrine glands use ducts.
D. Exocrine glands have no ducts, whereas endocrine glands always possess them.
Answer: C
Rationale: Endocrine glands are ductless glands that release hormones into the interstitial
fluid and then the blood; exocrine glands secrete products into ducts that lead to body
surfaces or cavities.
2. Hormones that are derived from cholesterol are classified as:
A. Peptide hormones
B. Amine hormones
C. Steroid hormones
D. Protein hormones
Answer: C
Rationale: Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble molecules synthesized from cholesterol,
including gonadal and adrenocortical hormones.
,3. Which mechanism do most amino acid-based hormones use to exert their
effects on target cells?
A. Direct gene activation
B. Second-messenger systems like cAMP
C. Diffusion through the lipid bilayer
D. Binding to intracellular receptors in the nucleus
Answer: B
Rationale: Since they are water-soluble and cannot cross the plasma membrane, amino
acid-based hormones typically bind to surface receptors and activate second messengers.
4. Which of the following is an example of a humoral stimulus for hormone
release?
A. Nerve fibers stimulating the adrenal medulla
B. Low blood calcium levels triggering PTH release
C. TSH stimulating the thyroid gland
D. The hypothalamus releasing TRH
Answer: B
Rationale: Humoral stimuli refer to the release of hormones in direct response to changing
blood levels of certain critical ions or nutrients.
5. The ‘master gland’ that regulates other endocrine glands, controlled by the
hypothalamus, is the:
A. Pineal gland
B. Pituitary gland
C. Adrenal gland
D. Thyroid gland
Answer: B
Rationale: The pituitary gland (hypophysis) secretes numerous hormones that regulate
the activity of other endocrine glands.
, 6. Which hormone is synthesized in the hypothalamus but stored and released
by the posterior pituitary?
A. Growth Hormone (GH)
B. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
C. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
D. Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
Answer: D
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases ADH and Oxytocin, which are
produced by neurons in the hypothalamus.
7. What is the primary function of Oxytocin?
A. Stimulates water reabsorption in the kidneys
B. Stimulates uterine contractions and milk ejection
C. Regulates the sleep-wake cycle
D. Increases blood glucose levels
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxytocin is responsible for stimulating smooth muscle contraction in the uterus
during labor and milk let-down in the mammary glands.
8. A deficiency in Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) leads to which condition?
A. Diabetes Insipidus
B. Diabetes Mellitus
C. Cushing’s Syndrome
D. Goiter
Answer: A
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus is characterized by huge output of urine and intense thirst
due to lack of ADH or kidney insensitivity to it.
Exam 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which of the following describes the primary difference between endocrine
and exocrine glands?
A. Endocrine glands are only found in the brain, while exocrine glands are peripheral.
B. Exocrine glands secrete hormones, while endocrine glands secrete enzymes.
C. Endocrine glands secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, while exocrine glands use ducts.
D. Exocrine glands have no ducts, whereas endocrine glands always possess them.
Answer: C
Rationale: Endocrine glands are ductless glands that release hormones into the interstitial
fluid and then the blood; exocrine glands secrete products into ducts that lead to body
surfaces or cavities.
2. Hormones that are derived from cholesterol are classified as:
A. Peptide hormones
B. Amine hormones
C. Steroid hormones
D. Protein hormones
Answer: C
Rationale: Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble molecules synthesized from cholesterol,
including gonadal and adrenocortical hormones.
,3. Which mechanism do most amino acid-based hormones use to exert their
effects on target cells?
A. Direct gene activation
B. Second-messenger systems like cAMP
C. Diffusion through the lipid bilayer
D. Binding to intracellular receptors in the nucleus
Answer: B
Rationale: Since they are water-soluble and cannot cross the plasma membrane, amino
acid-based hormones typically bind to surface receptors and activate second messengers.
4. Which of the following is an example of a humoral stimulus for hormone
release?
A. Nerve fibers stimulating the adrenal medulla
B. Low blood calcium levels triggering PTH release
C. TSH stimulating the thyroid gland
D. The hypothalamus releasing TRH
Answer: B
Rationale: Humoral stimuli refer to the release of hormones in direct response to changing
blood levels of certain critical ions or nutrients.
5. The ‘master gland’ that regulates other endocrine glands, controlled by the
hypothalamus, is the:
A. Pineal gland
B. Pituitary gland
C. Adrenal gland
D. Thyroid gland
Answer: B
Rationale: The pituitary gland (hypophysis) secretes numerous hormones that regulate
the activity of other endocrine glands.
, 6. Which hormone is synthesized in the hypothalamus but stored and released
by the posterior pituitary?
A. Growth Hormone (GH)
B. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
C. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
D. Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
Answer: D
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases ADH and Oxytocin, which are
produced by neurons in the hypothalamus.
7. What is the primary function of Oxytocin?
A. Stimulates water reabsorption in the kidneys
B. Stimulates uterine contractions and milk ejection
C. Regulates the sleep-wake cycle
D. Increases blood glucose levels
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxytocin is responsible for stimulating smooth muscle contraction in the uterus
during labor and milk let-down in the mammary glands.
8. A deficiency in Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) leads to which condition?
A. Diabetes Insipidus
B. Diabetes Mellitus
C. Cushing’s Syndrome
D. Goiter
Answer: A
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus is characterized by huge output of urine and intense thirst
due to lack of ADH or kidney insensitivity to it.
