BIOD331 Module 9 Endocrine Disorders
Comprehensive Final Test (Qns & Ans)
2025
Question 1 (Multiple Choice)
Question:
A 45-year-old woman presents with central obesity, a rounded
“moon” face, and purple abdominal striae. Laboratory studies
reveal elevated cortisol levels with loss of diurnal variation.
Which endocrine disorder best explains this presentation?
A) Primary adrenal insufficiency
B) Cushing’s syndrome
C) Addison’s disease
D) Hypothyroidism
Correct ANS:
B) Cushing’s syndrome
©2025
, Rationale:
The clinical features – central obesity, moon face, and purple
striae – are classic for hypercortisolism, known as Cushing’s
syndrome. The laboratory finding of elevated cortisol with loss of
diurnal variation further supports this diagnosis. Primary adrenal
insufficiency (Addison’s disease) and hypothyroidism present
with very different clinical features.
---
Question 2 (Fill in the Blank)
Question:
The process by which normal cells accumulate genetic and
epigenetic alterations, ultimately transforming into neoplastic
cells, is known as ________ .
Correct ANS:
carcinogenesis
Rationale:
Carcinogenesis describes the multistep process through which
normal cells undergo mutations and epigenetic changes that lead
©2025
,to uncontrolled proliferation and malignancy. This process
involves initiation, promotion, and progression phases.
---
Question 3 (True/False)
Question:
True/False: In Graves’ disease, autoantibodies stimulate the
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor, leading to the
overproduction of thyroid hormones and resulting in
hyperthyroidism.
Correct ANS:
True
Rationale:
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the
production of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins. These
autoantibodies bind to and activate the TSH receptor, causing
excessive synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones, which
produces clinical hyperthyroidism.
---
©2025
, Question 4 (Multiple Response)
Question:
Select all cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to
the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disorders:
A) Molecular mimicry leading to cross-reactivity
B) Genetic predisposition with HLA associations
C) Dysregulation of T regulatory cell function
D) Direct destruction by cytotoxic T lymphocytes
E) Overproduction of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins
Correct ANS:
A, B, C, E
Rationale:
Autoimmune thyroid diseases involve molecular mimicry (A),
genetic predispositions (B), and impaired regulatory T cell
function (C) that permit autoreactive lymphocytes to proliferate.
In Graves’ disease, the overproduction of thyroid-stimulating
immunoglobulins (E) is the key event. Direct T cell-mediated
cytotoxic destruction (D) is more typical of Hashimoto’s
thyroiditis, but the overall process is usually mediated via
antibody production and cytokine-driven inflammation rather than
straightforward cytotoxicity.
©2025
Comprehensive Final Test (Qns & Ans)
2025
Question 1 (Multiple Choice)
Question:
A 45-year-old woman presents with central obesity, a rounded
“moon” face, and purple abdominal striae. Laboratory studies
reveal elevated cortisol levels with loss of diurnal variation.
Which endocrine disorder best explains this presentation?
A) Primary adrenal insufficiency
B) Cushing’s syndrome
C) Addison’s disease
D) Hypothyroidism
Correct ANS:
B) Cushing’s syndrome
©2025
, Rationale:
The clinical features – central obesity, moon face, and purple
striae – are classic for hypercortisolism, known as Cushing’s
syndrome. The laboratory finding of elevated cortisol with loss of
diurnal variation further supports this diagnosis. Primary adrenal
insufficiency (Addison’s disease) and hypothyroidism present
with very different clinical features.
---
Question 2 (Fill in the Blank)
Question:
The process by which normal cells accumulate genetic and
epigenetic alterations, ultimately transforming into neoplastic
cells, is known as ________ .
Correct ANS:
carcinogenesis
Rationale:
Carcinogenesis describes the multistep process through which
normal cells undergo mutations and epigenetic changes that lead
©2025
,to uncontrolled proliferation and malignancy. This process
involves initiation, promotion, and progression phases.
---
Question 3 (True/False)
Question:
True/False: In Graves’ disease, autoantibodies stimulate the
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor, leading to the
overproduction of thyroid hormones and resulting in
hyperthyroidism.
Correct ANS:
True
Rationale:
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the
production of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins. These
autoantibodies bind to and activate the TSH receptor, causing
excessive synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones, which
produces clinical hyperthyroidism.
---
©2025
, Question 4 (Multiple Response)
Question:
Select all cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to
the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disorders:
A) Molecular mimicry leading to cross-reactivity
B) Genetic predisposition with HLA associations
C) Dysregulation of T regulatory cell function
D) Direct destruction by cytotoxic T lymphocytes
E) Overproduction of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins
Correct ANS:
A, B, C, E
Rationale:
Autoimmune thyroid diseases involve molecular mimicry (A),
genetic predispositions (B), and impaired regulatory T cell
function (C) that permit autoreactive lymphocytes to proliferate.
In Graves’ disease, the overproduction of thyroid-stimulating
immunoglobulins (E) is the key event. Direct T cell-mediated
cytotoxic destruction (D) is more typical of Hashimoto’s
thyroiditis, but the overall process is usually mediated via
antibody production and cytokine-driven inflammation rather than
straightforward cytotoxicity.
©2025
