,BIOL252/BIOL 252 Final 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 chemical messenger that acts on neighboring cells only
B) A chemical messenger secreted into the blood, acting on distant target cells
C) A neurotransmitter released at a synapse
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 chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands directly into the
bloodstream to act on distant target cells. Paracrine signals act locally on neighboring cells,
neurotransmitters act across synapses, and enzymes are catalysts, not signaling molecules.
**2. 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 to bind to intracellular receptors.
**3. The hypothalamic-pituitary portal system connects the hypothalamus to the:**
A) Posterior pituitary
B) Anterior pituitary
C) Thyroid gland
,D) Adrenal cortex
Correct Answer: Anterior pituitary
Rationale: The hypothalamic-pituitary portal system is a vascular network that connects the
hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary. It allows hypothalamic releasing and inhibiting hormones to
travel directly to the anterior pituitary to regulate its hormone secretion.
**4. A hormone that is lipid-soluble will:**
A) Bind to membrane receptors
B) Activate second messengers such as 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.
**5. Which of the following hormones is produced by the posterior pituitary gland?**
A) Growth hormone
B) Oxytocin
C) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
D) Prolactin
Correct Answer: Oxytocin
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases oxytocin and ADH, which are synthesized in the
hypothalamus. Growth hormone, TSH, and prolactin are produced by the anterior pituitary.
, **6. Excessive secretion of growth hormone in adults causes:**
A) Gigantism
B) Dwarfism
C) Acromegaly
D) Cushing's syndrome
Correct Answer: Acromegaly
Rationale: Acromegaly is caused by excessive GH secretion in adults after the epiphyseal plates have
closed, resulting in enlarged bones of the hands, feet, and face. Gigantism occurs in children before
epiphyseal closure. Dwarfism is due to GH deficiency.
**7. Which hormone is secreted by the parathyroid glands?**
A) Calcitonin
B) Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
C) Thyroid hormone
D) Aldosterone
Correct Answer: Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Rationale: The parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), which increases blood calcium
levels. Calcitonin is secreted by the thyroid gland, thyroid hormone regulates metabolism, and
aldosterone is secreted by the adrenal cortex.
**8. Which of the following is a symptom of hypothyroidism?**
A) Weight loss
B) Cold intolerance
C) Tachycardia
D) Heat intolerance
II w/ Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
**1. Which of the following best defines a hormone?**
A) A chemical messenger that acts on neighboring cells only
B) A chemical messenger secreted into the blood, acting on distant target cells
C) A neurotransmitter released at a synapse
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 chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands directly into the
bloodstream to act on distant target cells. Paracrine signals act locally on neighboring cells,
neurotransmitters act across synapses, and enzymes are catalysts, not signaling molecules.
**2. 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 to bind to intracellular receptors.
**3. The hypothalamic-pituitary portal system connects the hypothalamus to the:**
A) Posterior pituitary
B) Anterior pituitary
C) Thyroid gland
,D) Adrenal cortex
Correct Answer: Anterior pituitary
Rationale: The hypothalamic-pituitary portal system is a vascular network that connects the
hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary. It allows hypothalamic releasing and inhibiting hormones to
travel directly to the anterior pituitary to regulate its hormone secretion.
**4. A hormone that is lipid-soluble will:**
A) Bind to membrane receptors
B) Activate second messengers such as 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.
**5. Which of the following hormones is produced by the posterior pituitary gland?**
A) Growth hormone
B) Oxytocin
C) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
D) Prolactin
Correct Answer: Oxytocin
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases oxytocin and ADH, which are synthesized in the
hypothalamus. Growth hormone, TSH, and prolactin are produced by the anterior pituitary.
, **6. Excessive secretion of growth hormone in adults causes:**
A) Gigantism
B) Dwarfism
C) Acromegaly
D) Cushing's syndrome
Correct Answer: Acromegaly
Rationale: Acromegaly is caused by excessive GH secretion in adults after the epiphyseal plates have
closed, resulting in enlarged bones of the hands, feet, and face. Gigantism occurs in children before
epiphyseal closure. Dwarfism is due to GH deficiency.
**7. Which hormone is secreted by the parathyroid glands?**
A) Calcitonin
B) Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
C) Thyroid hormone
D) Aldosterone
Correct Answer: Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Rationale: The parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), which increases blood calcium
levels. Calcitonin is secreted by the thyroid gland, thyroid hormone regulates metabolism, and
aldosterone is secreted by the adrenal cortex.
**8. Which of the following is a symptom of hypothyroidism?**
A) Weight loss
B) Cold intolerance
C) Tachycardia
D) Heat intolerance
