BIOS 252 Week 7 Lab Practicum Actual
Exam QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026/2027 | Anatomy & Physiology II Lab
Practical | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Endocrine System - Glands and Hormones (Questions 1-15)
Question 1 Identify the structure indicated by the arrow on the endocrine model (located in the
neck, butterfly-shaped, anterior to the trachea).
A. Parathyroid glands
B. Thyroid gland [CORRECT]
C. Thymus
D. Submandibular gland
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the neck, anterior
to the trachea, inferior to the larynx. It secretes T3, T4, and calcitonin. Parathyroid glands (A) are
small glands embedded on the posterior surface of the thyroid. Thymus (C) is in the
mediastinum. Submandibular gland (D) is a salivary gland, not endocrine.
Question 2 On a histological slide of the thyroid gland, the follicular cells surround a space
filled with:
A. Blood
B. Colloid [CORRECT]
C. Lymph
D. Adipose tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thyroid follicles are lined by follicular cells and are filled with colloid, a
proteinaceous fluid containing thyroglobulin, the precursor to thyroid hormones. Blood (A) is
found in capillaries surrounding follicles. Lymph (C) is found in lymphatic vessels. Adipose
tissue (D) is not present within follicles.
Question 3 The adrenal medulla secretes:
,A. Cortisol
B. Aldosterone
C. Epinephrine and norepinephrine [CORRECT]
D. Androgens
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The adrenal medulla (inner part) secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine
(catecholamines) in response to sympathetic stimulation. The adrenal cortex (outer part) secretes
cortisol (A - glucocorticoids), aldosterone (B - mineralocorticoids), and androgens (D).
Question 4 On a pancreatic histology slide, the Islets of Langerhans appear as:
A. Clusters of pale-staining cells among darker acinar cells [CORRECT]
B. Ducts lined with columnar epithelium
C. Large blood vessels
D. Adipose tissue
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Islets of Langerhans (endocrine pancreas) appear as pale-staining clusters of cells
scattered among the darker-staining acinar cells (exocrine pancreas) that produce digestive
enzymes. Ducts (B) are part of the exocrine system. Large vessels (C) and adipose (D) are not
characteristic of islets.
Question 5 Identify the endocrine gland located at the base of the brain in the sella turcica of the
sphenoid bone.
A. Pineal gland
B. Hypothalamus
C. Pituitary gland [CORRECT]
D. Thalamus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pituitary gland (hypophysis) sits in the sella turcica at the base of the brain. It has
anterior (adenohypophysis) and posterior (neurohypophysis) lobes. Pineal (A) is posterior to the
third ventricle. Hypothalamus (B) is above the pituitary. Thalamus (D) is a relay center, not an
endocrine gland.
Question 6 Which zone of the adrenal cortex produces aldosterone?
,A. Zona glomerulosa [CORRECT]
B. Zona fasciculata
C. Zona reticularis
D. Adrenal medulla
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The zona glomerulosa (outermost cortical zone) produces aldosterone
(mineralocorticoid). Zona fasciculata (B) produces cortisol. Zona reticularis (C) produces
androgens. Adrenal medulla (D) produces catecholamines, not corticosteroids.
Question 7 On an endocrine model, identify the small glands located on the posterior surface of
the thyroid gland.
A. Parathyroid glands [CORRECT]
B. Adrenal glands
C. Thyroid follicles
D. Submandibular glands
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Parathyroid glands are typically 4 small glands embedded in the posterior surface of
the thyroid. They produce PTH (parathyroid hormone) regulating calcium. Adrenal glands (B)
are superior to kidneys. Thyroid follicles (C) are microscopic structures within the thyroid.
Submandibular glands (D) are salivary glands.
Question 8 The posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) stores and releases:
A. Growth hormone and prolactin
B. ACTH and TSH
C. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin [CORRECT]
D. FSH and LH
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases ADH and oxytocin, which are produced in
the hypothalamus. Growth hormone and prolactin (A), ACTH and TSH (B), and FSH and LH
(D) are all produced by the anterior pituitary.
Question 9 On a histology slide of the adrenal gland, which zone appears as parallel cords of
lipid-rich cells with a "spongy" appearance?
, A. Zona glomerulosa
B. Zona fasciculata [CORRECT]
C. Zona reticularis
D. Adrenal medulla
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The zona fasciculata (middle cortical zone) has cells arranged in parallel cords with
abundant lipid droplets (for cortisol synthesis), giving a pale, vacuolated, "spongy" appearance.
Zona glomerulosa (A) has rounded clusters. Zona reticularis (C) has a network pattern. Medulla
(D) has chromaffin cells.
Question 10 Identify the endocrine gland located in the mediastinum, posterior to the sternum,
that is large in children and atrophies with age.
A. Thyroid gland
B. Thymus [CORRECT]
C. Pineal gland
D. Parathyroid glands
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The thymus is located in the superior mediastinum, is large in children (active in T-
cell maturation), and atrophies (involutes) after puberty, replaced by adipose tissue. Thyroid (A)
is in the neck. Pineal (C) is in the brain. Parathyroid (D) are on the thyroid.
Question 11 The hormone calcitonin is produced by which cells in the thyroid gland?
A. Follicular cells
B. Parafollicular cells (C cells) [CORRECT]
C. Chief cells
D. Oxyphil cells
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Parafollicular cells (C cells) in the thyroid produce calcitonin, which lowers blood
calcium. Follicular cells (A) produce T3/T4. Chief cells (C) are in parathyroid glands (produce
PTH). Oxyphil cells (D) are also in parathyroid glands (function unclear).
Question 12 On an endocrine model, identify the structure that connects the hypothalamus to the
anterior pituitary and carries hypophyseal portal blood.
Exam QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026/2027 | Anatomy & Physiology II Lab
Practical | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Endocrine System - Glands and Hormones (Questions 1-15)
Question 1 Identify the structure indicated by the arrow on the endocrine model (located in the
neck, butterfly-shaped, anterior to the trachea).
A. Parathyroid glands
B. Thyroid gland [CORRECT]
C. Thymus
D. Submandibular gland
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the neck, anterior
to the trachea, inferior to the larynx. It secretes T3, T4, and calcitonin. Parathyroid glands (A) are
small glands embedded on the posterior surface of the thyroid. Thymus (C) is in the
mediastinum. Submandibular gland (D) is a salivary gland, not endocrine.
Question 2 On a histological slide of the thyroid gland, the follicular cells surround a space
filled with:
A. Blood
B. Colloid [CORRECT]
C. Lymph
D. Adipose tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thyroid follicles are lined by follicular cells and are filled with colloid, a
proteinaceous fluid containing thyroglobulin, the precursor to thyroid hormones. Blood (A) is
found in capillaries surrounding follicles. Lymph (C) is found in lymphatic vessels. Adipose
tissue (D) is not present within follicles.
Question 3 The adrenal medulla secretes:
,A. Cortisol
B. Aldosterone
C. Epinephrine and norepinephrine [CORRECT]
D. Androgens
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The adrenal medulla (inner part) secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine
(catecholamines) in response to sympathetic stimulation. The adrenal cortex (outer part) secretes
cortisol (A - glucocorticoids), aldosterone (B - mineralocorticoids), and androgens (D).
Question 4 On a pancreatic histology slide, the Islets of Langerhans appear as:
A. Clusters of pale-staining cells among darker acinar cells [CORRECT]
B. Ducts lined with columnar epithelium
C. Large blood vessels
D. Adipose tissue
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Islets of Langerhans (endocrine pancreas) appear as pale-staining clusters of cells
scattered among the darker-staining acinar cells (exocrine pancreas) that produce digestive
enzymes. Ducts (B) are part of the exocrine system. Large vessels (C) and adipose (D) are not
characteristic of islets.
Question 5 Identify the endocrine gland located at the base of the brain in the sella turcica of the
sphenoid bone.
A. Pineal gland
B. Hypothalamus
C. Pituitary gland [CORRECT]
D. Thalamus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pituitary gland (hypophysis) sits in the sella turcica at the base of the brain. It has
anterior (adenohypophysis) and posterior (neurohypophysis) lobes. Pineal (A) is posterior to the
third ventricle. Hypothalamus (B) is above the pituitary. Thalamus (D) is a relay center, not an
endocrine gland.
Question 6 Which zone of the adrenal cortex produces aldosterone?
,A. Zona glomerulosa [CORRECT]
B. Zona fasciculata
C. Zona reticularis
D. Adrenal medulla
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The zona glomerulosa (outermost cortical zone) produces aldosterone
(mineralocorticoid). Zona fasciculata (B) produces cortisol. Zona reticularis (C) produces
androgens. Adrenal medulla (D) produces catecholamines, not corticosteroids.
Question 7 On an endocrine model, identify the small glands located on the posterior surface of
the thyroid gland.
A. Parathyroid glands [CORRECT]
B. Adrenal glands
C. Thyroid follicles
D. Submandibular glands
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Parathyroid glands are typically 4 small glands embedded in the posterior surface of
the thyroid. They produce PTH (parathyroid hormone) regulating calcium. Adrenal glands (B)
are superior to kidneys. Thyroid follicles (C) are microscopic structures within the thyroid.
Submandibular glands (D) are salivary glands.
Question 8 The posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) stores and releases:
A. Growth hormone and prolactin
B. ACTH and TSH
C. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin [CORRECT]
D. FSH and LH
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases ADH and oxytocin, which are produced in
the hypothalamus. Growth hormone and prolactin (A), ACTH and TSH (B), and FSH and LH
(D) are all produced by the anterior pituitary.
Question 9 On a histology slide of the adrenal gland, which zone appears as parallel cords of
lipid-rich cells with a "spongy" appearance?
, A. Zona glomerulosa
B. Zona fasciculata [CORRECT]
C. Zona reticularis
D. Adrenal medulla
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The zona fasciculata (middle cortical zone) has cells arranged in parallel cords with
abundant lipid droplets (for cortisol synthesis), giving a pale, vacuolated, "spongy" appearance.
Zona glomerulosa (A) has rounded clusters. Zona reticularis (C) has a network pattern. Medulla
(D) has chromaffin cells.
Question 10 Identify the endocrine gland located in the mediastinum, posterior to the sternum,
that is large in children and atrophies with age.
A. Thyroid gland
B. Thymus [CORRECT]
C. Pineal gland
D. Parathyroid glands
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The thymus is located in the superior mediastinum, is large in children (active in T-
cell maturation), and atrophies (involutes) after puberty, replaced by adipose tissue. Thyroid (A)
is in the neck. Pineal (C) is in the brain. Parathyroid (D) are on the thyroid.
Question 11 The hormone calcitonin is produced by which cells in the thyroid gland?
A. Follicular cells
B. Parafollicular cells (C cells) [CORRECT]
C. Chief cells
D. Oxyphil cells
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Parafollicular cells (C cells) in the thyroid produce calcitonin, which lowers blood
calcium. Follicular cells (A) produce T3/T4. Chief cells (C) are in parathyroid glands (produce
PTH). Oxyphil cells (D) are also in parathyroid glands (function unclear).
Question 12 On an endocrine model, identify the structure that connects the hypothalamus to the
anterior pituitary and carries hypophyseal portal blood.
