BIOL 252 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
w/Lab Module 1 Actual Exam – Portage
Learning – 2026/2027 Academic Year –
Verified Questions and Answers
SECTION 1: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM OVERVIEW &
HYPOTHALAMUS-PITUITARY AXIS (Questions 1-25)
1. Q: The endocrine system functions to regulate which of the following body
processes?
A. Growth and development
B. Metabolism and reproduction
C. Water and electrolyte balance
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: The endocrine system regulates growth, metabolism, water/electrolyte
balance, and reproduction through hormone signaling. This integrative regulation
maintains homeostasis across multiple body systems .
2. Q: Which of the following is a primary function of the hypothalamus?
A. Producing ADH and oxytocin
B. Regulating body temperature and food intake
C. Controlling the pituitary gland
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: The hypothalamus serves as a key link between the nervous and endocrine
systems. Its functions include producing ADH and oxytocin (stored in the posterior
pituitary), regulating body temperature and food intake, and controlling pituitary gland
activity through releasing and inhibiting hormones .
,3. Q: The portal system connecting the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary is
known as the:
A. Hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract
B. Hypophyseal portal system
C. Portal circulation
D. Infundibulum
Answer: B
Rationale: The hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system is a network of blood vessels
connecting the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary. This system allows
hypothalamic releasing and inhibiting hormones to travel directly to the anterior
pituitary to regulate hormone secretion .
4. Q: Which of the following hormones is produced by the hypothalamus and
stored in the posterior pituitary?
A. Growth hormone
B. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
C. Oxytocin
D. Prolactin
Answer: C
Rationale: Oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) are produced in the
hypothalamus and transported via the hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract to the posterior
pituitary for storage and release. Growth hormone, TSH, and prolactin are produced
and secreted by the anterior pituitary .
5. Q: The stalk connecting the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland is called the:
A. Infundibulum
B. Stalk
C. Hypophyseal stalk
D. Both A and C
,Answer: D
Rationale: The infundibulum (also called the hypophyseal stalk) is the connecting stalk
that attaches the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus .
6. Q: Which of the following hormones is NOT produced by the anterior
pituitary?
A. Growth hormone
B. Prolactin
C. Oxytocin
D. Follicle-stimulating hormone
Answer: C
Rationale: Oxytocin is produced by the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior
pituitary, not the anterior pituitary. The anterior pituitary produces GH, prolactin, TSH,
ACTH, FSH, and LH .
7. Q: What is the primary function of growth hormone?
A. Regulate metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
B. Stimulate growth of bones and tissues
C. Regulate blood sugar levels
D. Control the release of cortisol
Answer: B
Rationale: Growth hormone (GH) stimulates growth of bones and tissues through
insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). It also has metabolic effects on carbohydrate, fat, and
protein metabolism, but its primary function is stimulating growth .
8. Q: A patient with excessive growth hormone after epiphyseal plate closure
would develop which condition?
A. Gigantism
B. Acromegaly
C. Dwarfism
D. Cushing's syndrome
, Answer: B
Rationale: Acromegaly results from excess growth hormone secretion after the closure
of the epiphyseal plates. This causes thickening of bones in the face, hands, and feet.
Gigantism occurs when excess GH occurs before epiphyseal plate closure .
9. Q: Which hormone is responsible for milk letdown during breastfeeding?
A. Prolactin
B. Oxytocin
C. Estrogen
D. Progesterone
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxytocin is responsible for milk ejection (letdown) by stimulating
myoepithelial cells in the mammary glands to contract. Prolactin is responsible for milk
production, while estrogen and progesterone prepare the breasts for lactation .
10. Q: The pituitary gland is located in which structure of the skull?
A. Sella turcica of the sphenoid bone
B. Cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone
C. Foramen magnum
D. Optic canal
Answer: A
Rationale: The pituitary gland (hypophysis) is located in the sella turcica, a depression
in the sphenoid bone. This bony structure provides protection for the pituitary gland .
11. Q: Which hypothalamic hormone inhibits the release of prolactin from the
anterior pituitary?
A. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
B. Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
C. Dopamine (prolactin-inhibiting hormone)
D. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
w/Lab Module 1 Actual Exam – Portage
Learning – 2026/2027 Academic Year –
Verified Questions and Answers
SECTION 1: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM OVERVIEW &
HYPOTHALAMUS-PITUITARY AXIS (Questions 1-25)
1. Q: The endocrine system functions to regulate which of the following body
processes?
A. Growth and development
B. Metabolism and reproduction
C. Water and electrolyte balance
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: The endocrine system regulates growth, metabolism, water/electrolyte
balance, and reproduction through hormone signaling. This integrative regulation
maintains homeostasis across multiple body systems .
2. Q: Which of the following is a primary function of the hypothalamus?
A. Producing ADH and oxytocin
B. Regulating body temperature and food intake
C. Controlling the pituitary gland
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: The hypothalamus serves as a key link between the nervous and endocrine
systems. Its functions include producing ADH and oxytocin (stored in the posterior
pituitary), regulating body temperature and food intake, and controlling pituitary gland
activity through releasing and inhibiting hormones .
,3. Q: The portal system connecting the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary is
known as the:
A. Hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract
B. Hypophyseal portal system
C. Portal circulation
D. Infundibulum
Answer: B
Rationale: The hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system is a network of blood vessels
connecting the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary. This system allows
hypothalamic releasing and inhibiting hormones to travel directly to the anterior
pituitary to regulate hormone secretion .
4. Q: Which of the following hormones is produced by the hypothalamus and
stored in the posterior pituitary?
A. Growth hormone
B. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
C. Oxytocin
D. Prolactin
Answer: C
Rationale: Oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) are produced in the
hypothalamus and transported via the hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract to the posterior
pituitary for storage and release. Growth hormone, TSH, and prolactin are produced
and secreted by the anterior pituitary .
5. Q: The stalk connecting the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland is called the:
A. Infundibulum
B. Stalk
C. Hypophyseal stalk
D. Both A and C
,Answer: D
Rationale: The infundibulum (also called the hypophyseal stalk) is the connecting stalk
that attaches the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus .
6. Q: Which of the following hormones is NOT produced by the anterior
pituitary?
A. Growth hormone
B. Prolactin
C. Oxytocin
D. Follicle-stimulating hormone
Answer: C
Rationale: Oxytocin is produced by the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior
pituitary, not the anterior pituitary. The anterior pituitary produces GH, prolactin, TSH,
ACTH, FSH, and LH .
7. Q: What is the primary function of growth hormone?
A. Regulate metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
B. Stimulate growth of bones and tissues
C. Regulate blood sugar levels
D. Control the release of cortisol
Answer: B
Rationale: Growth hormone (GH) stimulates growth of bones and tissues through
insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). It also has metabolic effects on carbohydrate, fat, and
protein metabolism, but its primary function is stimulating growth .
8. Q: A patient with excessive growth hormone after epiphyseal plate closure
would develop which condition?
A. Gigantism
B. Acromegaly
C. Dwarfism
D. Cushing's syndrome
, Answer: B
Rationale: Acromegaly results from excess growth hormone secretion after the closure
of the epiphyseal plates. This causes thickening of bones in the face, hands, and feet.
Gigantism occurs when excess GH occurs before epiphyseal plate closure .
9. Q: Which hormone is responsible for milk letdown during breastfeeding?
A. Prolactin
B. Oxytocin
C. Estrogen
D. Progesterone
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxytocin is responsible for milk ejection (letdown) by stimulating
myoepithelial cells in the mammary glands to contract. Prolactin is responsible for milk
production, while estrogen and progesterone prepare the breasts for lactation .
10. Q: The pituitary gland is located in which structure of the skull?
A. Sella turcica of the sphenoid bone
B. Cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone
C. Foramen magnum
D. Optic canal
Answer: A
Rationale: The pituitary gland (hypophysis) is located in the sella turcica, a depression
in the sphenoid bone. This bony structure provides protection for the pituitary gland .
11. Q: Which hypothalamic hormone inhibits the release of prolactin from the
anterior pituitary?
A. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
B. Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
C. Dopamine (prolactin-inhibiting hormone)
D. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
