,BIOL252/BIOL 252 Module 1 Exam | Human Anatomy &
Physiology II w/ Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
**1. Which of the following best defines a hormone?**
A) A nerve signal sent directly to a target cell
B) A chemical messenger secreted into the blood, acting on distant target cells
C) A local chemical signal affecting only neighboring cells
D) An enzyme that breaks down cellular proteins
Correct Answer: A chemical messenger secreted into the blood, acting on distant target cells
Rationale: Hormones are classic endocrine messengers, traveling via the bloodstream to exert effects on
specific target cells at distant sites. Paracrine signals affect neighboring cells, and neurotransmitters are
nerve signals. Hormones are signaling molecules, not enzymes.
**2. What is the primary difference between endocrine and exocrine glands?**
A) Endocrine glands secrete hormones through ducts; exocrine glands are ductless
B) Endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream (ductless); exocrine glands use
ducts to secrete substances to an epithelial surface
C) Endocrine glands secrete neurotransmitters; exocrine glands secrete hormones
D) Endocrine glands are found only in the brain; exocrine glands are found throughout the body
Correct Answer: Endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream (ductless); exocrine
glands use ducts to secrete substances to an epithelial surface
Rationale: This is a fundamental distinction: endocrine = internal secretion (ductless), exocrine =
external secretion via ducts. Endocrine glands release hormones directly into the interstitial fluid and
blood, while exocrine glands secrete sweat, saliva, or digestive enzymes through ducts.
**3. True or False: All hormones are proteins or peptides.**
,A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Hormones are chemically diverse and can be steroids (derived from cholesterol), amines
(from amino acids), or peptides/proteins. For example, cortisol is a steroid hormone, epinephrine is an
amine, and insulin is a peptide hormone.
**4. Which of the following is an example of a steroid hormone?**
A) Insulin
B) Epinephrine
C) Cortisol
D) Oxytocin
Correct Answer: Cortisol
Rationale: Cortisol is a steroid hormone derived from cholesterol. Insulin and oxytocin are peptide
hormones, and epinephrine is an amine hormone (derived from tyrosine). Steroid hormones are lipid-
soluble and can cross the plasma membrane.
**5. A hormone that is lipid-soluble will:**
A) Bind to membrane receptors
B) Activate second messengers (e.g., cAMP)
C) Diffuse through the plasma membrane and bind to intracellular receptors
D) Be stored in large vesicles before release
Correct Answer: Diffuse through the plasma membrane and bind to intracellular receptors
, Rationale: Lipid-soluble hormones (steroids, thyroid hormones) cross the plasma membrane and bind to
intracellular or nuclear receptors to alter gene transcription. Water-soluble hormones bind to
membrane receptors and use second messengers.
**6. Which second messenger is commonly activated by water-soluble hormones?**
A) cAMP
B) DNA
C) Calcium stored in the nucleus
D) ATP
Correct Answer: cAMP
Rationale: Water-soluble hormones bind to membrane G-protein coupled receptors and often use cAMP
or IP3/DAG as second messengers. These second messengers amplify the signal inside the cell. DNA and
ATP are not second messengers.
**7. Peptide hormones are typically:**
A) Synthesized on demand from cholesterol
B) Stored in secretory vesicles until released
C) Carried in the blood bound to transport proteins
D) Able to directly enter the nucleus
Correct Answer: Stored in secretory vesicles until released
Rationale: Peptide hormones are synthesized as preprohormones, processed, and stored in vesicles;
they are released by exocytosis. They circulate freely (not bound to carriers) and bind to membrane
receptors.
**8. Which hypothalamic hormone is primarily responsible for the release of adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary?**
A) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Physiology II w/ Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
**1. Which of the following best defines a hormone?**
A) A nerve signal sent directly to a target cell
B) A chemical messenger secreted into the blood, acting on distant target cells
C) A local chemical signal affecting only neighboring cells
D) An enzyme that breaks down cellular proteins
Correct Answer: A chemical messenger secreted into the blood, acting on distant target cells
Rationale: Hormones are classic endocrine messengers, traveling via the bloodstream to exert effects on
specific target cells at distant sites. Paracrine signals affect neighboring cells, and neurotransmitters are
nerve signals. Hormones are signaling molecules, not enzymes.
**2. What is the primary difference between endocrine and exocrine glands?**
A) Endocrine glands secrete hormones through ducts; exocrine glands are ductless
B) Endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream (ductless); exocrine glands use
ducts to secrete substances to an epithelial surface
C) Endocrine glands secrete neurotransmitters; exocrine glands secrete hormones
D) Endocrine glands are found only in the brain; exocrine glands are found throughout the body
Correct Answer: Endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream (ductless); exocrine
glands use ducts to secrete substances to an epithelial surface
Rationale: This is a fundamental distinction: endocrine = internal secretion (ductless), exocrine =
external secretion via ducts. Endocrine glands release hormones directly into the interstitial fluid and
blood, while exocrine glands secrete sweat, saliva, or digestive enzymes through ducts.
**3. True or False: All hormones are proteins or peptides.**
,A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Hormones are chemically diverse and can be steroids (derived from cholesterol), amines
(from amino acids), or peptides/proteins. For example, cortisol is a steroid hormone, epinephrine is an
amine, and insulin is a peptide hormone.
**4. Which of the following is an example of a steroid hormone?**
A) Insulin
B) Epinephrine
C) Cortisol
D) Oxytocin
Correct Answer: Cortisol
Rationale: Cortisol is a steroid hormone derived from cholesterol. Insulin and oxytocin are peptide
hormones, and epinephrine is an amine hormone (derived from tyrosine). Steroid hormones are lipid-
soluble and can cross the plasma membrane.
**5. A hormone that is lipid-soluble will:**
A) Bind to membrane receptors
B) Activate second messengers (e.g., cAMP)
C) Diffuse through the plasma membrane and bind to intracellular receptors
D) Be stored in large vesicles before release
Correct Answer: Diffuse through the plasma membrane and bind to intracellular receptors
, Rationale: Lipid-soluble hormones (steroids, thyroid hormones) cross the plasma membrane and bind to
intracellular or nuclear receptors to alter gene transcription. Water-soluble hormones bind to
membrane receptors and use second messengers.
**6. Which second messenger is commonly activated by water-soluble hormones?**
A) cAMP
B) DNA
C) Calcium stored in the nucleus
D) ATP
Correct Answer: cAMP
Rationale: Water-soluble hormones bind to membrane G-protein coupled receptors and often use cAMP
or IP3/DAG as second messengers. These second messengers amplify the signal inside the cell. DNA and
ATP are not second messengers.
**7. Peptide hormones are typically:**
A) Synthesized on demand from cholesterol
B) Stored in secretory vesicles until released
C) Carried in the blood bound to transport proteins
D) Able to directly enter the nucleus
Correct Answer: Stored in secretory vesicles until released
Rationale: Peptide hormones are synthesized as preprohormones, processed, and stored in vesicles;
they are released by exocytosis. They circulate freely (not bound to carriers) and bind to membrane
receptors.
**8. Which hypothalamic hormone is primarily responsible for the release of adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary?**
A) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
