,BIOD151/BIOD 151 Module 6 Exam | Essential Human
Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A |
2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the endocrine system?
A) To provide rapid, short-term responses to stimuli
B) To secrete hormones that regulate slow, long-lasting processes
C) To control voluntary skeletal muscle movements
D) To transmit electrical signals between neurons
Correct Answer: To secrete hormones that regulate slow, long-lasting processes
Rationale: The endocrine system uses hormones to regulate slow, long-lasting processes like growth,
metabolism, and reproduction. In contrast, the nervous system provides rapid, short-term responses.
The endocrine system is essential for maintaining homeostasis through chemical signaling.
2. How do hormones travel from their site of production to their target cells?
A) Through ducts to epithelial surfaces
B) Via the bloodstream
C) Across synaptic clefts
D) Through the lymphatic system only
Correct Answer: Via the bloodstream
Rationale: Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the interstitial fluid, from
which they diffuse into the bloodstream for systemic distribution. Exocrine glands, by contrast, use ducts
to secrete their products.
3. Steroid hormones are synthesized from which precursor molecule?
A) Amino acids
B) Cholesterol
,C) Glucose
D) Nucleotides
Correct Answer: Cholesterol
Rationale: All steroid hormones—including cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, and estrogen—are
synthesized from cholesterol. Peptide and amine hormones are derived from amino acids.
4. Which of the following is a characteristic of peptide hormones?
A) They are lipid-soluble and can cross cell membranes
B) They bind to intracellular receptors
C) They are derived from cholesterol
D) They bind to receptors on the cell surface
Correct Answer: They bind to receptors on the cell surface
Rationale: Peptide hormones are water-soluble and cannot cross the plasma membrane. Instead, they
bind to cell-surface receptors, triggering signal transduction pathways. Steroid hormones are lipid-
soluble and bind to intracellular receptors.
5. Which gland is often referred to as the "master gland" of the endocrine system?
A) Thyroid gland
B) Pineal gland
C) Pituitary gland
D) Hypothalamus
Correct Answer: Pituitary gland
Rationale: The pituitary gland is often called the "master gland" because it produces hormones that
regulate many other endocrine glands. The hypothalamus, however, controls the pituitary gland itself.
, 6. Which of the following hormones is stored and released by the posterior pituitary?
A) Growth hormone (GH)
B) Prolactin
C) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
D) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases two hormones: antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and
oxytocin. Both are produced in the hypothalamus and transported to the posterior pituitary for release.
7. Which hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating uterine contractions during childbirth?
A) Prolactin
B) Oxytocin
C) Estrogen
D) Progesterone
Correct Answer: Oxytocin
Rationale: Oxytocin is a hormone released by the posterior pituitary that stimulates uterine contractions
during labor. It also plays a role in milk ejection during breastfeeding.
8. A patient has a tumor that is overproducing growth hormone (GH) during childhood. Which condition
is most likely to develop?
A) Dwarfism
B) Gigantism
C) Acromegaly
D) Hypothyroidism
Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A |
2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the endocrine system?
A) To provide rapid, short-term responses to stimuli
B) To secrete hormones that regulate slow, long-lasting processes
C) To control voluntary skeletal muscle movements
D) To transmit electrical signals between neurons
Correct Answer: To secrete hormones that regulate slow, long-lasting processes
Rationale: The endocrine system uses hormones to regulate slow, long-lasting processes like growth,
metabolism, and reproduction. In contrast, the nervous system provides rapid, short-term responses.
The endocrine system is essential for maintaining homeostasis through chemical signaling.
2. How do hormones travel from their site of production to their target cells?
A) Through ducts to epithelial surfaces
B) Via the bloodstream
C) Across synaptic clefts
D) Through the lymphatic system only
Correct Answer: Via the bloodstream
Rationale: Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the interstitial fluid, from
which they diffuse into the bloodstream for systemic distribution. Exocrine glands, by contrast, use ducts
to secrete their products.
3. Steroid hormones are synthesized from which precursor molecule?
A) Amino acids
B) Cholesterol
,C) Glucose
D) Nucleotides
Correct Answer: Cholesterol
Rationale: All steroid hormones—including cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, and estrogen—are
synthesized from cholesterol. Peptide and amine hormones are derived from amino acids.
4. Which of the following is a characteristic of peptide hormones?
A) They are lipid-soluble and can cross cell membranes
B) They bind to intracellular receptors
C) They are derived from cholesterol
D) They bind to receptors on the cell surface
Correct Answer: They bind to receptors on the cell surface
Rationale: Peptide hormones are water-soluble and cannot cross the plasma membrane. Instead, they
bind to cell-surface receptors, triggering signal transduction pathways. Steroid hormones are lipid-
soluble and bind to intracellular receptors.
5. Which gland is often referred to as the "master gland" of the endocrine system?
A) Thyroid gland
B) Pineal gland
C) Pituitary gland
D) Hypothalamus
Correct Answer: Pituitary gland
Rationale: The pituitary gland is often called the "master gland" because it produces hormones that
regulate many other endocrine glands. The hypothalamus, however, controls the pituitary gland itself.
, 6. Which of the following hormones is stored and released by the posterior pituitary?
A) Growth hormone (GH)
B) Prolactin
C) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
D) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases two hormones: antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and
oxytocin. Both are produced in the hypothalamus and transported to the posterior pituitary for release.
7. Which hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating uterine contractions during childbirth?
A) Prolactin
B) Oxytocin
C) Estrogen
D) Progesterone
Correct Answer: Oxytocin
Rationale: Oxytocin is a hormone released by the posterior pituitary that stimulates uterine contractions
during labor. It also plays a role in milk ejection during breastfeeding.
8. A patient has a tumor that is overproducing growth hormone (GH) during childhood. Which condition
is most likely to develop?
A) Dwarfism
B) Gigantism
C) Acromegaly
D) Hypothyroidism
