BIOL 252 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
w/Lab | Module 3 Exam Review80+ Practice
Questions and Answers with Rationales2025/2026
Instructor Note: This exam review covers the key topics typically assessed in Module 3 of A&P
II, including the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the Endocrine System and the Special
Senses. Each question includes the correct answer (in bold) and a rationale to explain the
concept.
Part I: The Endocrine System (Questions 1-40)
1. Which of the following is a primary function of the endocrine system?
a) Rapid, short-term control through nerve impulses
b) Transporting oxygen and nutrients to tissues
c) Long-term regulation of metabolism, growth, and reproduction via hormones
d) Physical protection of the body from external pathogens
Rationale: The endocrine system uses hormones for slower, more prolonged regulatory effects
compared to the rapid actions of the nervous system.
2. A chemical signal that is secreted into the bloodstream to affect distant target cells is best
described as:
a) Autocrine
b) Paracrine
c) Endocrine
d) Synaptic
Rationale: Endocrine signals are hormones released into the blood to act on distant targets.
Paracrine signals act on nearby cells, and autocrine signals act on the cell that secreted them.
3. The hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary gland primarily through the secretion
of:
a) Hypothalamic-pituitary hormones directly into the posterior pituitary
b) Releasing and inhibiting hormones into the hypophyseal portal system
c) Neurotransmitters across a synaptic cleft
d) Ions that directly stimulate pituitary cell depolarization
Rationale: The hypothalamus secretes regulatory hormones into the portal blood system, which
carries them directly to the anterior pituitary to stimulate or inhibit hormone release.
,4. Which hormone is synthesized by the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary
for release?
a) Growth Hormone (GH)
b) Prolactin (PRL)
c) Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
d) Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
Rationale: ADH and oxytocin are produced in the hypothalamus and transported down axons to
the posterior pituitary for storage and release. The anterior pituitary produces its own hormones.
5. A patient presents with excessive thirst (polydipsia) and excessive urination (polyuria).
Which hormone deficiency is the most likely cause?
a) Insulin
b) Aldosterone
c) Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
d) Calcitonin
Rationale: ADH acts on the kidneys to increase water reabsorption. A deficiency (Diabetes
Insipidus) leads to the inability to concentrate urine, resulting in large volumes of dilute urine
and compensatory thirst.
6. The "master gland" that secretes hormones controlling other endocrine glands is the:
a) Hypothalamus
b) Thyroid gland
c) Pituitary gland (Anterior)
d) Pineal gland
Rationale: While controlled by the hypothalamus, the anterior pituitary secretes tropic hormones
(like TSH, ACTH, FSH) that directly regulate the activity of other endocrine glands.
7. Which of the following is a tropic hormone?
a) Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
b) Melatonin
c) Epinephrine
d) Glucagon
Rationale: A tropic hormone's primary function is to stimulate another endocrine gland to grow
and secrete its own hormones. TSH stimulates the thyroid gland.
8. The thyroid follicle primarily produces:
a) Calcitonin
b) T3 and T4 (Thyroid Hormone)
c) Parathyroid Hormone
d) Triiodothyronine
, Rationale: The spherical thyroid follicles are lined with follicular cells that produce
thyroglobulin, which is the precursor to T3 and T4. Calcitonin is produced by the parafollicular
(C) cells between the follicles.
9. The C-cells (parafollicular cells) of the thyroid gland secrete:
a) Thyroid Hormone to increase metabolic rate
b) TSH to stimulate the thyroid
c) Calcitonin to lower blood calcium levels
d) PTH to raise blood calcium levels
Rationale: Calcitonin is released when blood calcium is high. It inhibits osteoclast activity and
increases calcium excretion by the kidneys, thereby lowering blood calcium.
10. The parathyroid glands are crucial for maintaining blood levels of:
a) Sodium
b) Potassium
c) Glucose
d) Calcium
Rationale: The parathyroid glands secrete Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) in response to low blood
calcium. PTH is the primary regulator of blood calcium homeostasis.
11. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) acts to increase blood calcium levels by stimulating:
a) Osteoclast activity, calcium reabsorption in the kidneys, and calcitriol activation
b) Osteoblast activity and calcium deposition in bone
c) Calcitonin secretion from the thyroid
d) Calcium loss in urine
Rationale: PTH increases blood calcium by breaking down bone (osteoclasts), conserving
calcium in the kidneys, and indirectly increasing calcium absorption from the gut by activating
Vitamin D (calcitriol).
12. Which hormone is NOT correctly paired with its primary effect?
a) Calcitonin - Lowers blood calcium
b) PTH - Raises blood calcium
c) Insulin - Raises blood glucose
d) Glucagon - Raises blood glucose
Rationale: Insulin is a hypoglycemic hormone; it lowers blood glucose by promoting its uptake
into cells and storage as glycogen. Glucagon is hyperglycemic.
13. The zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex secretes which major class of hormones?
a) Mineralocorticoids (e.g., Aldosterone)
b) Glucocorticoids (e.g., Cortisol)
c) Sex Hormones (e.g., Androgens)
d) Catecholamines (e.g., Epinephrine)
w/Lab | Module 3 Exam Review80+ Practice
Questions and Answers with Rationales2025/2026
Instructor Note: This exam review covers the key topics typically assessed in Module 3 of A&P
II, including the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the Endocrine System and the Special
Senses. Each question includes the correct answer (in bold) and a rationale to explain the
concept.
Part I: The Endocrine System (Questions 1-40)
1. Which of the following is a primary function of the endocrine system?
a) Rapid, short-term control through nerve impulses
b) Transporting oxygen and nutrients to tissues
c) Long-term regulation of metabolism, growth, and reproduction via hormones
d) Physical protection of the body from external pathogens
Rationale: The endocrine system uses hormones for slower, more prolonged regulatory effects
compared to the rapid actions of the nervous system.
2. A chemical signal that is secreted into the bloodstream to affect distant target cells is best
described as:
a) Autocrine
b) Paracrine
c) Endocrine
d) Synaptic
Rationale: Endocrine signals are hormones released into the blood to act on distant targets.
Paracrine signals act on nearby cells, and autocrine signals act on the cell that secreted them.
3. The hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary gland primarily through the secretion
of:
a) Hypothalamic-pituitary hormones directly into the posterior pituitary
b) Releasing and inhibiting hormones into the hypophyseal portal system
c) Neurotransmitters across a synaptic cleft
d) Ions that directly stimulate pituitary cell depolarization
Rationale: The hypothalamus secretes regulatory hormones into the portal blood system, which
carries them directly to the anterior pituitary to stimulate or inhibit hormone release.
,4. Which hormone is synthesized by the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary
for release?
a) Growth Hormone (GH)
b) Prolactin (PRL)
c) Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
d) Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
Rationale: ADH and oxytocin are produced in the hypothalamus and transported down axons to
the posterior pituitary for storage and release. The anterior pituitary produces its own hormones.
5. A patient presents with excessive thirst (polydipsia) and excessive urination (polyuria).
Which hormone deficiency is the most likely cause?
a) Insulin
b) Aldosterone
c) Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
d) Calcitonin
Rationale: ADH acts on the kidneys to increase water reabsorption. A deficiency (Diabetes
Insipidus) leads to the inability to concentrate urine, resulting in large volumes of dilute urine
and compensatory thirst.
6. The "master gland" that secretes hormones controlling other endocrine glands is the:
a) Hypothalamus
b) Thyroid gland
c) Pituitary gland (Anterior)
d) Pineal gland
Rationale: While controlled by the hypothalamus, the anterior pituitary secretes tropic hormones
(like TSH, ACTH, FSH) that directly regulate the activity of other endocrine glands.
7. Which of the following is a tropic hormone?
a) Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
b) Melatonin
c) Epinephrine
d) Glucagon
Rationale: A tropic hormone's primary function is to stimulate another endocrine gland to grow
and secrete its own hormones. TSH stimulates the thyroid gland.
8. The thyroid follicle primarily produces:
a) Calcitonin
b) T3 and T4 (Thyroid Hormone)
c) Parathyroid Hormone
d) Triiodothyronine
, Rationale: The spherical thyroid follicles are lined with follicular cells that produce
thyroglobulin, which is the precursor to T3 and T4. Calcitonin is produced by the parafollicular
(C) cells between the follicles.
9. The C-cells (parafollicular cells) of the thyroid gland secrete:
a) Thyroid Hormone to increase metabolic rate
b) TSH to stimulate the thyroid
c) Calcitonin to lower blood calcium levels
d) PTH to raise blood calcium levels
Rationale: Calcitonin is released when blood calcium is high. It inhibits osteoclast activity and
increases calcium excretion by the kidneys, thereby lowering blood calcium.
10. The parathyroid glands are crucial for maintaining blood levels of:
a) Sodium
b) Potassium
c) Glucose
d) Calcium
Rationale: The parathyroid glands secrete Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) in response to low blood
calcium. PTH is the primary regulator of blood calcium homeostasis.
11. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) acts to increase blood calcium levels by stimulating:
a) Osteoclast activity, calcium reabsorption in the kidneys, and calcitriol activation
b) Osteoblast activity and calcium deposition in bone
c) Calcitonin secretion from the thyroid
d) Calcium loss in urine
Rationale: PTH increases blood calcium by breaking down bone (osteoclasts), conserving
calcium in the kidneys, and indirectly increasing calcium absorption from the gut by activating
Vitamin D (calcitriol).
12. Which hormone is NOT correctly paired with its primary effect?
a) Calcitonin - Lowers blood calcium
b) PTH - Raises blood calcium
c) Insulin - Raises blood glucose
d) Glucagon - Raises blood glucose
Rationale: Insulin is a hypoglycemic hormone; it lowers blood glucose by promoting its uptake
into cells and storage as glycogen. Glucagon is hyperglycemic.
13. The zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex secretes which major class of hormones?
a) Mineralocorticoids (e.g., Aldosterone)
b) Glucocorticoids (e.g., Cortisol)
c) Sex Hormones (e.g., Androgens)
d) Catecholamines (e.g., Epinephrine)
