BIOL251 Human Anatomy & Physiology I w/Lab Exam Prep 2026: 200
Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | Portage Learning Module 9
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110: Endocrine System Fundamentals
1. Which hormone type is lipidsoluble and can pass through cell membranes?
A. Amino acidderived
B. Peptide
C. Protein
D. Steroid
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol and are lipidsoluble, allowing them to
diffuse across the plasma membrane and bind to intracellular receptors.
2. Which gland is known as the “master gland” because it controls many other endocrine glands?
A. Thyroid
B. Pituitary
C. Adrenal
D. Pancreas
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The pituitary gland (hypophysis) is often called the “master gland” as it secretes hormones
that regulate the activity of other endocrine glands (e.g., TSH stimulates the thyroid, ACTH stimulates
the adrenal cortex).
3. A patient has a tumor that is causing excessive production of growth hormone (GH) in adulthood.
Which condition is most likely to develop?
A. Pituitary dwarfism
B. Gigantism
C. Acromegaly
,D. Cushing’s disease
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: GH hypersecretion in adulthood leads to acromegaly, characterized by enlargement of the
hands, feet, and facial features. GH hypersecretion before epiphyseal plate closure causes gigantism.
Pituitary dwarfism results from GH deficiency in childhood.
4. Which hormone is responsible for lowering blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake into
cells?
A. Glucagon
B. Insulin
C. Cortisol
D. Epinephrine
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Insulin, secreted by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets, enhances cellular glucose uptake,
promotes glycogenesis, and lowers blood glucose levels.
5. The hypothalamus connects to the pituitary gland via which structure?
A. Infundibulum (pituitary stalk)
B. Corpus callosum
C. Optic chiasm
D. Thalamus
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are connected by the infundibulum (pituitary stalk),
which contains the hypothalamic–hypophyseal portal system (for anterior pituitary regulation) and the
hypothalamic–hypophyseal tract (for posterior pituitary hormone transport).
6. A patient has a deficiency in antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Which clinical finding would the nurse
expect?
A. Hypertension and edema
B. Polyuria (large volumes of dilute urine) and polydipsia (excessive thirst)
C. Hypernatremia and decreased urine output
,D. Weight gain and hyponatremia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: ADH deficiency causes diabetes insipidus, characterized by excessive dilute urine (polyuria)
and compensatory excessive thirst (polydipsia). ADH acts on the kidneys to increase water reabsorption.
7. Where are the target cells for antidiuretic hormone (ADH) primarily located?
A. Liver
B. Kidneys
C. Heart
D. Lungs
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: ADH (vasopressin) acts on the kidneys, specifically on the collecting ducts, to increase
water reabsorption and concentrate urine.
8. Which hormone directly stimulates the thyroid gland to release thyroid hormones (T3 and T4)?
A. Thyrotropinreleasing hormone (TRH)
B. Thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH)
C. Prolactin
D. Growth hormone (GH)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: TSH, secreted by the anterior pituitary, targets the thyroid gland, stimulating the synthesis
and release of T3 and T4. TRH from the hypothalamus controls TSH release.
9. Which gland is responsible for producing the hormone melatonin, which regulates circadian
(sleepwake) rhythms?
A. Pineal gland
B. Thymus
C. Parathyroid glands
D. Adrenal medulla
Correct Answer: A
, Explanation: The pineal gland secretes melatonin in response to darkness, playing a key role in
regulating the body's circadian rhythm (sleepwake cycle).
10. If a patient has a blood calcium level of 12.5 mg/dL (normal ~8.5–10.2 mg/dL), which hormone
would be secreted at a higher rate to lower the calcium level?
A. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
B. Calcitonin
C. Calcitriol (active vitamin D)
D. Cortisol
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Calcitonin, produced by the parafollicular (C) cells of the thyroid gland, lowers blood
calcium levels by inhibiting osteoclast activity and increasing calcium excretion by the kidneys. PTH and
calcitriol raise blood calcium.
1120: Pituitary Gland & Hypothalamus
11. A patient has a prolactinsecreting pituitary adenoma (prolactinoma). Which symptom is most
directly caused by elevated prolactin levels?
A. Galactorrhea (milky nipple discharge)
B. Acromegaly
C. Deepening of the voice
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Prolactin promotes milk production (lactation) in females. Elevated prolactin
(hyperprolactinemia) can cause galactorrhea, menstrual irregularities, and infertility.
12. Which hypothalamic hormone is released into the hypothalamic–hypophyseal portal system to
stimulate the anterior pituitary to release thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH)?
A. Corticotropinreleasing hormone (CRH)
Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | Portage Learning Module 9
Review + LockDown Browser Ready
110: Endocrine System Fundamentals
1. Which hormone type is lipidsoluble and can pass through cell membranes?
A. Amino acidderived
B. Peptide
C. Protein
D. Steroid
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol and are lipidsoluble, allowing them to
diffuse across the plasma membrane and bind to intracellular receptors.
2. Which gland is known as the “master gland” because it controls many other endocrine glands?
A. Thyroid
B. Pituitary
C. Adrenal
D. Pancreas
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The pituitary gland (hypophysis) is often called the “master gland” as it secretes hormones
that regulate the activity of other endocrine glands (e.g., TSH stimulates the thyroid, ACTH stimulates
the adrenal cortex).
3. A patient has a tumor that is causing excessive production of growth hormone (GH) in adulthood.
Which condition is most likely to develop?
A. Pituitary dwarfism
B. Gigantism
C. Acromegaly
,D. Cushing’s disease
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: GH hypersecretion in adulthood leads to acromegaly, characterized by enlargement of the
hands, feet, and facial features. GH hypersecretion before epiphyseal plate closure causes gigantism.
Pituitary dwarfism results from GH deficiency in childhood.
4. Which hormone is responsible for lowering blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake into
cells?
A. Glucagon
B. Insulin
C. Cortisol
D. Epinephrine
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Insulin, secreted by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets, enhances cellular glucose uptake,
promotes glycogenesis, and lowers blood glucose levels.
5. The hypothalamus connects to the pituitary gland via which structure?
A. Infundibulum (pituitary stalk)
B. Corpus callosum
C. Optic chiasm
D. Thalamus
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are connected by the infundibulum (pituitary stalk),
which contains the hypothalamic–hypophyseal portal system (for anterior pituitary regulation) and the
hypothalamic–hypophyseal tract (for posterior pituitary hormone transport).
6. A patient has a deficiency in antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Which clinical finding would the nurse
expect?
A. Hypertension and edema
B. Polyuria (large volumes of dilute urine) and polydipsia (excessive thirst)
C. Hypernatremia and decreased urine output
,D. Weight gain and hyponatremia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: ADH deficiency causes diabetes insipidus, characterized by excessive dilute urine (polyuria)
and compensatory excessive thirst (polydipsia). ADH acts on the kidneys to increase water reabsorption.
7. Where are the target cells for antidiuretic hormone (ADH) primarily located?
A. Liver
B. Kidneys
C. Heart
D. Lungs
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: ADH (vasopressin) acts on the kidneys, specifically on the collecting ducts, to increase
water reabsorption and concentrate urine.
8. Which hormone directly stimulates the thyroid gland to release thyroid hormones (T3 and T4)?
A. Thyrotropinreleasing hormone (TRH)
B. Thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH)
C. Prolactin
D. Growth hormone (GH)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: TSH, secreted by the anterior pituitary, targets the thyroid gland, stimulating the synthesis
and release of T3 and T4. TRH from the hypothalamus controls TSH release.
9. Which gland is responsible for producing the hormone melatonin, which regulates circadian
(sleepwake) rhythms?
A. Pineal gland
B. Thymus
C. Parathyroid glands
D. Adrenal medulla
Correct Answer: A
, Explanation: The pineal gland secretes melatonin in response to darkness, playing a key role in
regulating the body's circadian rhythm (sleepwake cycle).
10. If a patient has a blood calcium level of 12.5 mg/dL (normal ~8.5–10.2 mg/dL), which hormone
would be secreted at a higher rate to lower the calcium level?
A. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
B. Calcitonin
C. Calcitriol (active vitamin D)
D. Cortisol
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Calcitonin, produced by the parafollicular (C) cells of the thyroid gland, lowers blood
calcium levels by inhibiting osteoclast activity and increasing calcium excretion by the kidneys. PTH and
calcitriol raise blood calcium.
1120: Pituitary Gland & Hypothalamus
11. A patient has a prolactinsecreting pituitary adenoma (prolactinoma). Which symptom is most
directly caused by elevated prolactin levels?
A. Galactorrhea (milky nipple discharge)
B. Acromegaly
C. Deepening of the voice
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Prolactin promotes milk production (lactation) in females. Elevated prolactin
(hyperprolactinemia) can cause galactorrhea, menstrual irregularities, and infertility.
12. Which hypothalamic hormone is released into the hypothalamic–hypophyseal portal system to
stimulate the anterior pituitary to release thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH)?
A. Corticotropinreleasing hormone (CRH)
