Endocrine Study Questions
1. The nervous and endocrine systems work together to regulate bodily functions, but they act in very
different ways. How do they differ? The nervous system works quickly through electrical impulses, and its effects are
short- lived. The endocrine system secretes hormones that are slower to react but whose effects are longer lasting.
2.
Which endocrine glands are also part of the nervous system? the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, and pineal
glands
3.
How do endocrine and exocrine glands differ? Endocrine glands do not have internal ducts, so they
secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands secrete substances through their ducts to the body’s surface
or to other organs.
4.
Is the pancreas an endocrine gland or an exocrine gland? Explain your answer. The pancreas is both an
exocrine gland and an endocrine gland. It releases hormones that regulate blood glucose levels, and secretes digestive
enzymes through a duct into the small intestine.
5. What are the two general categories of hormones? lipid (fat-based) hormones called steroid hormones, or aminoacid hormones composed of protein or protein-related substance
6. Hormones travel through the body via the bloodstream. Why don’t they affect every cell and tissue
they come in contact with? A hormone only affects the tissues and organs that have receptors specific to that hormone.
When a hormone binds with its receptor, the hormone is able to infl uence the activity of the cell.
7. What are the three ways that endocrine glands are regulated? neural control ( nervous system stimulates the
release of hormones), hormonal control ( another hormone stimulates the release of a hormone) , and humoral control
(stimulated by a change in an ion or chemical)
8.
Explain the main responsibility of the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus collects information from each
body system and integrates the responses of the nervous and endocrine systems to maintain homeostatic balance.
9. How is the pituitary gland divided? into the anterior pituitary and posterior pituitary
10. In what two ways do hormones secreted by the pituitary gland function? They can act directly on target
tissue to cause a specific metabolic response, or they can stimulate other endocrine glands to release their own hormones.
The latter are called tropic hormones, or tropins.
11. Name the six anterior pituitary hormones. Which four are tropic hormones and which two are nontropic? growth hormone (GH), non-tropic; prolactin (PRO), non-tropic; adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), tropic; thyroidstimulating hormone (also called thyrotropin or TSH, tropic; follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), tropic; luteinizing
hormone (LH), tropic
12. Why is it preferable for the body to use fats and amino acids as fuel sources, rather than relying
solely on carbohydrates? By converting fats and amino acids into energy, the body is able to spare the carbohydrates
whose glucose is needed for energy by the brain.
13. What does the hormone prolactin do in the body? Prolactin stimulates the growth of mammary glands
and milk production in a nursing mother.
14. How does the function of the anterior and posterior pituitary differ? The anterior pituitary produces hormones of
its own, while the posterior pituitary is actually an extension of the hypothalamus. The posterior pituitary stores two hormones,
antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin, which are produced in the hypothalamus.
15. What is the connection between the thymus gland and the immune system? The thymus gland secretes
thymosin, which is essential for developing the white blood cells. White blood cells play a key role in the body’s immune
system.
16. The pineal gland’s functions are not fully known, but one function seems clear. What is it? The pineal
gland releases the hormone melatonin when darkness comes, causing us to feel sleepy.
17. Discuss the adrenal glands. How are they structured? What hormones do they secrete? The adrenal
glands are two organs (the adrenal medulla and adrenal cortex) which sit on top of the kidneys. The adrenal cortex functions
as a gland. It produces three groups of steroid hormones: mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and sex hormones. The adrenal
medulla is part of the nervous system; it secretes epinephrine (commonly referred to as adrenaline) and norepinephrine (also
known as noradrenalin), which are released into the blood during times of physical or emotional stress.
18. Where is the pancreas located and what are its functions? It is a long, thin gland located posterior to the
stomach in the upper part of the abdominal cavity. It secretes insulin and glucagon, hormones that control blood glucose
levels, and also functions as an exocrine gland that excretes digestive enzymes.
19. What does the pancreas secrete when blood glucose levels are too high? insulin
20.What do the gonads secrete and for what functions? The testes produce testosterone, which produces
sperm and develops the male reproductive system. The ovaries produce eggs, and estrogen and progesterone, which develop
female reproductive glands as well as regulates the menstrual cycle and contributes to breast development.
21. What is acromegaly and what is the cause of this disease? Acromegaly, or gigantism, causes an increase in
overall body size, especially in the extremities. It is caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone by the anterior pituitary, itself
caused by a noncancerous tumor pressing on the pituitary gland.
22. What conditions result when the pituitary gland hyposecretes growth hormone or antidiuretic
hormone? dwarfi sm, a condition caused by hyposecretion of growth hormone in which adult height reaches less than four
feet; diabetes insipidus, caused by the hyposecretion of antidiuretic hormone when people experience excessive thirst called
polydipsia.
23. Why is iodine necessary for the body? Iodine is a necessary dietary component, responsible
for thyroid hormone production. Without it, the thyroid works too hard and becomes enlarged, which may
result in the formation of a goiter.
24. Describe Graves disease. Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to an overactive thyroid gland. A tumor
on the thyroid gland causes oversecretion of the thyroid hormones. Graves disease also causes exophthalmos, a
condition in which the eyes bulge outward.
25. Which gland’s disorders can result in hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia? What chemical element is
affected by the two disorders, and how? the parathyroid gland; calcium, because hypercalcemia leads to increased
calcium absorption by the kidneys, while hypocalcemia is defi ned by low blood calcium
26.. What part of the endocrine system does Cushing syndrome affect? What are the symptoms of
Cushing syndrome? the adrenal cortex; symptoms include rounded, moon-shaped face; weight gain (especially in the
upper body); high blood glucose levels; hypertension; osteoporosis; reddish-purple abdominal stretch marks; diffi culty
concentrating; and facial hair in women
27. How does type II diabetes mellitus differ from type I diabetes mellitus? Unlike in type I where insulin isn’t
being produced, in people with type II diabetes, the pancreas secretes insulin, but the body’s insulin receptors are
downregulated—a condition called insulin resistance. Obesity and being overweight seem to correlate with both types.
Diabetes mellitus cannot be cured, but it can be managed with a healthful diet, physical activity to increase insulin sensitivity
of the body’s cells, weight loss, and taking medications as prescribed.
28. What specific area of the Adrenal gland secretes the following hormones: mineralocorticoids,
glucocorticoids, androgens? Figure 8.10
29. What is the difference in the cortex and the medulla of the adrenal gland? The cortex is on the outside of the
adrenal gland and is divided into three zones that produce hormones needed for long term stressful situations. The medulla is
the smaller middle portion of the adrenal gland and produces the hormone needed for the fight-or-flight syndrome.
30. Be able to Identify the glands of the endocrine system. Figure 8.1
31. Know the targets and effects of the hormones. Hormone Table
33. Be able to Identify the hormones of the anterior pituitary and the organs they effect. Figure 8.6
34. What hormone release is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system? Epinephrine
35. What is the normal range for blood glucose levels? 70-105 mg/dL
36. Hormones are either amino acid hormones or lipid (steroid hormones) hormones. Which type of
hormone works off a first messenger system? lipid (steroid hormones) hormones
system? amino acid hormones
Second messenger