Strayer University SCI 221 Anatomy and Physiology II Exam 1 (pdf) |
2026/2027 | A&P II Q&A | Anatomy
1. Which of the following best describes the function of the endocrine
system?
A) Rapid, short-duration responses to stimuli via nerve impulses
B) Long-lasting regulation of bodily functions via hormone release
C) Transport of oxygen and nutrients to tissues
D) Physical protection of internal organs from trauma
Correct Answer: Long-lasting regulation of bodily functions via hormone
release
Rationale: The endocrine system uses hormones as chemical messengers to
regulate long-lasting, slow responses such as growth, metabolism, and
reproduction. The nervous system provides rapid, short-duration responses.
Transport of oxygen is a function of the cardiovascular system.
2. A chemical messenger that is secreted by a cell and acts on nearby cells is
classified as a:
A) Hormone
B) Neurotransmitter
C) Paracrine
D) Autocrine
Correct Answer: Paracrine
Rationale: Paracrine signals act on nearby cells. Autocrine signals act on the
same cell that secreted them. Hormones travel through the bloodstream to
distant target cells, and neurotransmitters act across synapses.
,3. Which of the following is a hormone that is a peptide?
A) Testosterone
B) Estrogen
C) Insulin
D) Cortisol
Correct Answer: Insulin
Rationale: Insulin is a peptide hormone composed of amino acids.
Testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol are steroid hormones derived from
cholesterol and are lipid-soluble.
4. Steroid hormones exert their effects primarily by:
A) Binding to membrane receptors and activating second messengers
B) Diffusing through the cell membrane and binding to intracellular receptors
C) Opening ion channels in the cell membrane
D) Inhibiting protein synthesis
Correct Answer: Diffusing through the cell membrane and binding to
intracellular receptors
Rationale: Because steroid hormones are lipid-soluble, they diffuse through
the cell membrane and bind to receptors inside the cell, typically in the
nucleus or cytoplasm. This complex then alters gene transcription.
5. A patient has a tumor that is secreting excess growth hormone. Which
condition is most likely to develop?
A) Diabetes insipidus
B) Acromegaly
,C) Cushing's syndrome
D) Hypothyroidism
Correct Answer: Acromegaly
Rationale: Excess growth hormone in adulthood causes acromegaly,
characterized by enlargement of bones in the hands, feet, and face.
Gigantism occurs if excess GH is present before epiphyseal plates close.
Diabetes insipidus is an ADH deficiency, Cushing's syndrome is excess
cortisol, and hypothyroidism is low thyroid hormone.
6. The hypothalamus is connected to the anterior pituitary gland via the:
A) Hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract
B) Hypophyseal portal system
C) Infundibulum
D) Neural pathway
Correct Answer: Hypophyseal portal system
Rationale: The hypophyseal portal system is a network of blood vessels that
transports releasing and inhibiting hormones from the hypothalamus to the
anterior pituitary. The hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract connects the
hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary for the transport of ADH and
oxytocin.
7. Which of the following hormones is secreted by the posterior pituitary
gland?
A) Growth hormone
B) Prolactin
C) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
, D) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases ADH and oxytocin,
which are synthesized in the hypothalamus. Growth hormone, prolactin, and
TSH are secreted by the anterior pituitary.
8. ADH promotes water conservation by:
A) Increasing urine output
B) Decreasing water reabsorption in the kidneys
C) Increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys
D) Stimulating thirst
Correct Answer: Increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys
Rationale: ADH acts on the kidneys to increase water reabsorption, thereby
reducing urine output and conserving body water. A deficiency of ADH leads
to diabetes insipidus, characterized by excessive urine output.
9. Which of the following hormones is released in response to low blood
glucose levels?
A) Insulin
B) Glucagon
C) Cortisol
D) Aldosterone
Correct Answer: Glucagon
2026/2027 | A&P II Q&A | Anatomy
1. Which of the following best describes the function of the endocrine
system?
A) Rapid, short-duration responses to stimuli via nerve impulses
B) Long-lasting regulation of bodily functions via hormone release
C) Transport of oxygen and nutrients to tissues
D) Physical protection of internal organs from trauma
Correct Answer: Long-lasting regulation of bodily functions via hormone
release
Rationale: The endocrine system uses hormones as chemical messengers to
regulate long-lasting, slow responses such as growth, metabolism, and
reproduction. The nervous system provides rapid, short-duration responses.
Transport of oxygen is a function of the cardiovascular system.
2. A chemical messenger that is secreted by a cell and acts on nearby cells is
classified as a:
A) Hormone
B) Neurotransmitter
C) Paracrine
D) Autocrine
Correct Answer: Paracrine
Rationale: Paracrine signals act on nearby cells. Autocrine signals act on the
same cell that secreted them. Hormones travel through the bloodstream to
distant target cells, and neurotransmitters act across synapses.
,3. Which of the following is a hormone that is a peptide?
A) Testosterone
B) Estrogen
C) Insulin
D) Cortisol
Correct Answer: Insulin
Rationale: Insulin is a peptide hormone composed of amino acids.
Testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol are steroid hormones derived from
cholesterol and are lipid-soluble.
4. Steroid hormones exert their effects primarily by:
A) Binding to membrane receptors and activating second messengers
B) Diffusing through the cell membrane and binding to intracellular receptors
C) Opening ion channels in the cell membrane
D) Inhibiting protein synthesis
Correct Answer: Diffusing through the cell membrane and binding to
intracellular receptors
Rationale: Because steroid hormones are lipid-soluble, they diffuse through
the cell membrane and bind to receptors inside the cell, typically in the
nucleus or cytoplasm. This complex then alters gene transcription.
5. A patient has a tumor that is secreting excess growth hormone. Which
condition is most likely to develop?
A) Diabetes insipidus
B) Acromegaly
,C) Cushing's syndrome
D) Hypothyroidism
Correct Answer: Acromegaly
Rationale: Excess growth hormone in adulthood causes acromegaly,
characterized by enlargement of bones in the hands, feet, and face.
Gigantism occurs if excess GH is present before epiphyseal plates close.
Diabetes insipidus is an ADH deficiency, Cushing's syndrome is excess
cortisol, and hypothyroidism is low thyroid hormone.
6. The hypothalamus is connected to the anterior pituitary gland via the:
A) Hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract
B) Hypophyseal portal system
C) Infundibulum
D) Neural pathway
Correct Answer: Hypophyseal portal system
Rationale: The hypophyseal portal system is a network of blood vessels that
transports releasing and inhibiting hormones from the hypothalamus to the
anterior pituitary. The hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract connects the
hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary for the transport of ADH and
oxytocin.
7. Which of the following hormones is secreted by the posterior pituitary
gland?
A) Growth hormone
B) Prolactin
C) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
, D) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases ADH and oxytocin,
which are synthesized in the hypothalamus. Growth hormone, prolactin, and
TSH are secreted by the anterior pituitary.
8. ADH promotes water conservation by:
A) Increasing urine output
B) Decreasing water reabsorption in the kidneys
C) Increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys
D) Stimulating thirst
Correct Answer: Increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys
Rationale: ADH acts on the kidneys to increase water reabsorption, thereby
reducing urine output and conserving body water. A deficiency of ADH leads
to diabetes insipidus, characterized by excessive urine output.
9. Which of the following hormones is released in response to low blood
glucose levels?
A) Insulin
B) Glucagon
C) Cortisol
D) Aldosterone
Correct Answer: Glucagon
