ENDOCRINE SYSTEM TEST PREP
GRADE 12 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone) - ANSWER-stimulates release of
growth hormone secretion
adrenal glands - ANSWER-An adrenal gland is found on top of each kidney. Each
adrenal gland has two regions that have their own separate function: The adrenal
medulla The adrenal cortex
Adrenal medulla - ANSWER-Hormone-producing cells within the adrenal medulla are
stimulated by neurons, in times of stress -This is considered a short-term response,
because it is controlled by the nervous system
What are the hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla and what happens when
they are released? - ANSWER-Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) epinephrine
(adrenaline) When these are released: - Blood sugar level rises because glycogen is
converted into glucose (for energy) - Increase heart and breathing rate - Increase
cell metabolism - Blood vessels dilate - Iris of the eye dilates
adrenal cortex - ANSWER-the outer portion of the adrenal glands.
What is released by the adrenal cortex? - ANSWER--In a stressful situation, the
hypothalamus stimulates the anterior lobe of the pituitary to release ACTH
(adrenocorticotropic hormone). ACTH is carried through the blood to the cells of the
adrenal cortex. -This is considered a long-term stress response
What do the cells of the adrenal cortex release? - ANSWER-Mineralocorticoids,
Glucocorticoids, Sex steroids
Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) - ANSWER-regulate sodium reabsorption in kidney
tubule. regulate Na+ and K+ balance increase in blood volume and pressure
Glucocorticoids - ANSWER-regulate metabolism of glucose and other organic
molecule
Sex Steroids (weak androgens) - ANSWER-weak androgens
What is the thyroid gland? - ANSWER-endocrine gland found in the neck that
regulates metabolism. Thyroid is the largest of the endocrine glands, secretes
thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3) • The thyroid is made up of hollow sacs
called thyroid follicles which store and accumulate iodide from the blood. • Thyroxine
-stimulates the metabolic rate: controls the speed at which oxygen and food products
react to release energy for the body to use -also plays an important role in growth
and development.
, How are the levels of the thyroid gland controlled and steps? - ANSWER-Its levels
are controlled by negative feedback.
1. Low thyroxine levels in the bloodstream stimulate the hypothalamus to release
TRH 2. This causes the pituitary to release TSH so the thyroid releases more
thyroxine. 3. So blood levels return to normal. 4. Normal thyroxine levels inhibit TRH
release from the hypothalamus and the production of TSH by the pituitary, so normal
blood levels are maintained.
What is the parathyroid gland? - ANSWER-The parathyroid gland is a small
endocrine gland that is found on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland. Humans
usually have four parathyroid glands. These glands are responsible for making and
secreting parathyroid hormone in response to decreased plasma calcium levels. The
parathyroid secretes parathyroid hormone which controls blood calcium levels
What is a goiter? - ANSWER-abnormal growth of the thyroid gland
What is hypothyroidism? - ANSWER-Hashimoto's disease: inadequate secretion of
thyroid hormones, abnormally low basal metabolic rates, weight gain and lethargy,
don't handle cold well, swelling of hands, feet, and tissue around eyes
What is hyperthyroidism? - ANSWER-Graves disease: autoantibodies exert TSH-like
effects on the thyroid, also produce goiter, causes hyperthyroid and has excessive
thyroxine secretion, often accompanied by bulging eyes, weight loss, nervousness,
irritability and intolerance to heat
What is cretinism? - ANSWER-severe mental retardation, caused by hypothyroidism
during fetal development, if treated immediately with thyroxine after birth, it is
possible to completely reverse effects
How does the pancreas play a role in the endocrine system? - ANSWER-Both
exocrine and endocrine, exocrine mainly in digestion. Endocrine portion made up of
islets of Langerhans made of alpha and beta cells
What do alpha cells secrete? - ANSWER-glucagon
What do beta cells secrete? - ANSWER-insulin
Insulin - ANSWER-A hormone produced by the pancreas or taken as a medication
by many diabetics. Insulin stimulates glucose uptake into cells thus reducing blood
glucose • Stimulates protein synthesis by increasing amino acid transport
What are polypeptides and proteins? Examples? - ANSWER--polypeptide hormones
generally contain less than 100 amino acids: antidiuretic hormone -protein hormones
contain over 100 amino acids an example is growth hormone
Glycoproteins: long polypeptides bound to one or more carbohydrate groups -FSH
and LH are examples
GRADE 12 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone) - ANSWER-stimulates release of
growth hormone secretion
adrenal glands - ANSWER-An adrenal gland is found on top of each kidney. Each
adrenal gland has two regions that have their own separate function: The adrenal
medulla The adrenal cortex
Adrenal medulla - ANSWER-Hormone-producing cells within the adrenal medulla are
stimulated by neurons, in times of stress -This is considered a short-term response,
because it is controlled by the nervous system
What are the hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla and what happens when
they are released? - ANSWER-Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) epinephrine
(adrenaline) When these are released: - Blood sugar level rises because glycogen is
converted into glucose (for energy) - Increase heart and breathing rate - Increase
cell metabolism - Blood vessels dilate - Iris of the eye dilates
adrenal cortex - ANSWER-the outer portion of the adrenal glands.
What is released by the adrenal cortex? - ANSWER--In a stressful situation, the
hypothalamus stimulates the anterior lobe of the pituitary to release ACTH
(adrenocorticotropic hormone). ACTH is carried through the blood to the cells of the
adrenal cortex. -This is considered a long-term stress response
What do the cells of the adrenal cortex release? - ANSWER-Mineralocorticoids,
Glucocorticoids, Sex steroids
Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) - ANSWER-regulate sodium reabsorption in kidney
tubule. regulate Na+ and K+ balance increase in blood volume and pressure
Glucocorticoids - ANSWER-regulate metabolism of glucose and other organic
molecule
Sex Steroids (weak androgens) - ANSWER-weak androgens
What is the thyroid gland? - ANSWER-endocrine gland found in the neck that
regulates metabolism. Thyroid is the largest of the endocrine glands, secretes
thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3) • The thyroid is made up of hollow sacs
called thyroid follicles which store and accumulate iodide from the blood. • Thyroxine
-stimulates the metabolic rate: controls the speed at which oxygen and food products
react to release energy for the body to use -also plays an important role in growth
and development.
, How are the levels of the thyroid gland controlled and steps? - ANSWER-Its levels
are controlled by negative feedback.
1. Low thyroxine levels in the bloodstream stimulate the hypothalamus to release
TRH 2. This causes the pituitary to release TSH so the thyroid releases more
thyroxine. 3. So blood levels return to normal. 4. Normal thyroxine levels inhibit TRH
release from the hypothalamus and the production of TSH by the pituitary, so normal
blood levels are maintained.
What is the parathyroid gland? - ANSWER-The parathyroid gland is a small
endocrine gland that is found on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland. Humans
usually have four parathyroid glands. These glands are responsible for making and
secreting parathyroid hormone in response to decreased plasma calcium levels. The
parathyroid secretes parathyroid hormone which controls blood calcium levels
What is a goiter? - ANSWER-abnormal growth of the thyroid gland
What is hypothyroidism? - ANSWER-Hashimoto's disease: inadequate secretion of
thyroid hormones, abnormally low basal metabolic rates, weight gain and lethargy,
don't handle cold well, swelling of hands, feet, and tissue around eyes
What is hyperthyroidism? - ANSWER-Graves disease: autoantibodies exert TSH-like
effects on the thyroid, also produce goiter, causes hyperthyroid and has excessive
thyroxine secretion, often accompanied by bulging eyes, weight loss, nervousness,
irritability and intolerance to heat
What is cretinism? - ANSWER-severe mental retardation, caused by hypothyroidism
during fetal development, if treated immediately with thyroxine after birth, it is
possible to completely reverse effects
How does the pancreas play a role in the endocrine system? - ANSWER-Both
exocrine and endocrine, exocrine mainly in digestion. Endocrine portion made up of
islets of Langerhans made of alpha and beta cells
What do alpha cells secrete? - ANSWER-glucagon
What do beta cells secrete? - ANSWER-insulin
Insulin - ANSWER-A hormone produced by the pancreas or taken as a medication
by many diabetics. Insulin stimulates glucose uptake into cells thus reducing blood
glucose • Stimulates protein synthesis by increasing amino acid transport
What are polypeptides and proteins? Examples? - ANSWER--polypeptide hormones
generally contain less than 100 amino acids: antidiuretic hormone -protein hormones
contain over 100 amino acids an example is growth hormone
Glycoproteins: long polypeptides bound to one or more carbohydrate groups -FSH
and LH are examples
