Classification of hormones MCQs With Answer offers B. Pharm students a focused, SEO-optimized review of hormone types, mechanisms, and clinical relevance. This introduction highlights chemical classification (peptides, steroids, amines, eicosanoids), receptor localization (membrane vs nuclear), signaling pathways (cAMP, IP3/DAG, tyrosine kinase), and pharmacological implications like replacement therapy and antagonists. Each MCQ emphasizes practical, exam-relevant details—synthesis, transport proteins, half-life, feedback loops, and endocrine disorders—helping students master both theory and application. Use this targeted set to strengthen conceptual understanding and improve test performance. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which of the following is the primary chemical classification of insulin?
- Steroid hormone
- Peptide hormone
- Amino acid derivative
- Eicosanoid
Correct Answer: Peptide hormone
Q2. Thyroxine (T4) is best classified as which type of hormone?
- Steroid
- Peptide
- Amino acid derivative
- Eicosanoid
Correct Answer: Amino acid derivative
Q3. Which hormone class typically binds intracellular receptors and alters gene transcription?
- Water-soluble peptide hormones
- Lipid-soluble steroid hormones
- Eicosanoids acting on GPCRs
- Catecholamines acting on membrane receptors
Correct Answer: Lipid-soluble steroid hormones
Q4. Which second messenger is most commonly associated with Gs protein activation?
- IP3
- cAMP
- cGMP
- DAG
Correct Answer: cAMP
Q5. Which gland secretes aldosterone?
- Adrenal medulla
- Adrenal cortex (zona glomerulosa)
- Posterior pituitary
- Anterior pituitary
Correct Answer: Adrenal cortex (zona glomerulosa)
Q6. Which hormone is released by the posterior pituitary?
- ACTH
- TSH
- Oxytocin
- Growth hormone
Correct Answer: Oxytocin
Q7. Prohormone processing involves conversion of which precursor form?
- Preprohormone to prohormone to active hormone
- Prohormone to preprohormone to active hormone
- Active hormone to prohormone to preprohormone
- Prehormone directly to active hormone without processing
Correct Answer: Preprohormone to prohormone to active hormone
Q8. Which transport protein primarily binds thyroid hormones in plasma?
- Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG)
- Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG)
- Albumin exclusively
- Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
Correct Answer: Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG)
Q9. Which hormone is classed as an eicosanoid?
- Prostaglandin E2
- Insulin
- Cortisol
- Thyroxine
Correct Answer: Prostaglandin E2
Q10. Which of the following hormones acts primarily via receptor tyrosine kinase?
- Insulin
- Vasopressin (V1 receptor)
- Glucagon
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Correct Answer: Insulin
Q11. Which hormone type is most susceptible to degradation in the GI tract, requiring parenteral administration?
- Small lipophilic steroids
- Peptide hormones
- Thyroid hormones
- Oral eicosanoids
Correct Answer: Peptide hormones
Q12. Which hormone increases blood calcium concentration?
- Calcitonin
- Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- Insulin
- Prolactin
Correct Answer: Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Q13. Which hypothalamic hormone stimulates release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary?
- Somatostatin
- GHRH (growth hormone–releasing hormone)
- TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone)
- CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone)
Correct Answer: GHRH (growth hormone–releasing hormone)
Q14. Which adrenal zone produces cortisol?
- Zona glomerulosa
- Zona fasciculata
- Zona reticularis
- Adrenal medulla
Correct Answer: Zona fasciculata
Q15. Angiotensin II primarily acts by which mechanism?
- Activating nuclear receptors to change gene transcription
- Binding GPCRs to increase IP3/DAG and Ca2+
- Stimulating receptor tyrosine kinases
- Directly entering cells to bind intracellular receptors
Correct Answer: Binding GPCRs to increase IP3/DAG and Ca2+
Q16. Which hormone is an example of an intracrine action when synthesized and acting within the same cell?
- Circulating insulin acting on muscle
- Intracellular conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone within target cell
- Thyroxine secreted by thyroid into blood
- Prostaglandin released to act on neighboring cells
Correct Answer: Intracellular conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone within target cell
Q17. Which hormone is primarily regulated by a negative feedback loop involving cortisol?
- Insulin from pancreas
- ACTH from anterior pituitary
- Calcitonin from thyroid
- Oxytocin from posterior pituitary
Correct Answer: ACTH from anterior pituitary
Q18. Which vitamin acts as a hormone after activation in liver and kidney?
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D (calcitriol)
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin K
Correct Answer: Vitamin D (calcitriol)
Q19. Which hormone would you classify as tropic?
- Prolactin (directly on mammary gland)
- TSH (stimulates thyroid gland)
- Insulin (metabolic effects)
- Glucagon (glycogenolysis)
Correct Answer: TSH (stimulates thyroid gland)
Q20. Which enzyme is essential for prostaglandin synthesis from arachidonic acid?
- Tyrosine hydroxylase
- Cyclooxygenase (COX)
- Aromatic amino acid decarboxylase
- 5-alpha-reductase
Correct Answer: Cyclooxygenase (COX)
Q21. Which hormone uses intracellular thyroid hormone receptors to modulate transcription?
- Insulin
- Cortisol
- Triiodothyronine (T3)
- Glucagon
Correct Answer: Triiodothyronine (T3)
Q22. Which of the following hormones is primarily water-soluble and acts via cell-surface receptors?
- Aldosterone
- Cortisol
- Insulin
- Thyroxine (T4)
Correct Answer: Insulin
Q23. Which hormone class typically has the shortest plasma half-life?
- Steroid hormones bound to carrier proteins
- Thyroid hormones bound to TBG
- Peptide hormones circulating free
- Steroid hormones not bound
Correct Answer: Peptide hormones circulating free
Q24. Which hormone stimulates hepatic gluconeogenesis and is categorized as glucoregulatory?
- Insulin
- Glucagon
- Prolactin
- Oxytocin
Correct Answer: Glucagon
Q25. Which anterior pituitary hormone is primarily responsible for milk production?
- Prolactin
- Oxytocin
- Growth hormone
- LH
Correct Answer: Prolactin
Q26. Which hormone is released in response to high plasma osmolality?
- Aldosterone
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH/vasopressin)
- Renin
- Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH/vasopressin)
Q27. Which hormone is synthesized from cholesterol?
- Insulin
- Thyroxine
- Aldosterone
- Glucagon
Correct Answer: Aldosterone
Q28. What is the main endocrine source of epinephrine?
- Zona fasciculata of adrenal cortex
- Adrenal medulla chromaffin cells
- Pancreatic alpha cells
- Posterior pituitary
Correct Answer: Adrenal medulla chromaffin cells
Q29. Which receptor type mediates rapid ion flux in response to neurotransmitters/hormones?
- Nuclear receptors
- G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR)
- Ligand-gated ion channels
- Receptor tyrosine kinases
Correct Answer: Ligand-gated ion channels
Q30. Which hormone increases sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion in the kidney?
- Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
- Aldosterone
- Parathyroid hormone
- Antidiuretic hormone
Correct Answer: Aldosterone
Q31. Which laboratory method is commonly used to quantify hormone concentrations in plasma?
- Western blotting
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) or ELISA
- Mass spectrometry only
- Immunofluorescence microscopy
Correct Answer: Radioimmunoassay (RIA) or ELISA
Q32. In endocrine pharmacology, an antagonist that blocks aldosterone receptors is:
- Spironolactone
- Levothyroxine
- Desmopressin
- Insulin glargine
Correct Answer: Spironolactone
Q33. Which hormone is the primary regulator of basal metabolic rate?
- Cortisol
- Thyroid hormones (T3/T4)
- Growth hormone
- Insulin
Correct Answer: Thyroid hormones (T3/T4)
Q34. Which hormone’s secretion is directly stimulated by increased serum potassium?
- Insulin
- Aldosterone
- Glucagon
- Thyroxine
Correct Answer: Aldosterone
Q35. Which peptide acts as both a hormone and paracrine factor in the pancreas?
- Glucagon-like peptide acting only systemically
- Somatostatin
- Thyroxine
- Estradiol
Correct Answer: Somatostatin
Q36. Which clinical condition results from excess cortisol?
- Addison’s disease
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Hypothyroidism
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Correct Answer: Cushing’s syndrome
Q37. Which hormone is secreted by the placenta and detected in pregnancy tests?
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
- Human placental lactogen only
- Progesterone exclusively
- Prolactin
Correct Answer: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Q38. Which endocrine disorder is characterized by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells?
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus
- Hyperinsulinemia due to insulinoma
- Cushing’s disease
Correct Answer: Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Q39. Which hormone directly stimulates milk ejection (let-down) during breastfeeding?
- Prolactin
- Oxytocin
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
Correct Answer: Oxytocin
Q40. Which hormone decreases bone resorption and lowers serum calcium?
- Parathyroid hormone
- Calcitonin
- Vitamin D (calcitriol)
- Glucagon
Correct Answer: Calcitonin
Q41. Insulin receptor signaling primarily involves which mechanism?
- GPCR-mediated cAMP increase
- Receptor tyrosine kinase autophosphorylation
- Nuclear receptor-mediated transcription
- Ligand-gated ion channel opening
Correct Answer: Receptor tyrosine kinase autophosphorylation
Q42. Which hormone is an example of a local paracrine regulator in the vasculature?
- Atrial natriuretic peptide from heart only
- Nitric oxide (NO) acting as a local vasodilator
- Thyroxine acting systemically
- Cortisol acting on distant tissues
Correct Answer: Nitric oxide (NO) acting as a local vasodilator
Q43. Which pituitary hormone stimulates adrenal cortisol secretion?
- TSH
- ACTH
- LH
- GH
Correct Answer: ACTH
Q44. Which statement correctly distinguishes hormones from growth factors?
- Hormones are only produced by endocrine glands; growth factors are only intracellular
- Hormones circulate systemically at endocrine concentrations; growth factors often act locally at autocrine/paracrine levels
- Growth factors always use nuclear receptors; hormones always use membrane receptors
- There is no overlap; they are completely unrelated
Correct Answer: Hormones circulate systemically at endocrine concentrations; growth factors often act locally at autocrine/paracrine levels
Q45. Which hormone’s synthesis requires iodine uptake by the thyroid gland?
- Insulin
- Thyroxine (T4)
- Cortisol
- Parathyroid hormone
Correct Answer: Thyroxine (T4)
Q46. Which drug is a synthetic analogue of vasopressin used to treat diabetes insipidus?
- Spironolactone
- Desmopressin (DDAVP)
- Levothyroxine
- Metformin
Correct Answer: Desmopressin (DDAVP)
Q47. Which hormone is secreted by pancreatic beta cells?
- Glucagon
- Insulin
- Somatostatin only
- Pancreatic polypeptide exclusively
Correct Answer: Insulin
Q48. Which mechanism best describes receptor downregulation after chronic hormone exposure?
- Increased receptor synthesis at the plasma membrane
- Internalization and degradation of receptors
- Enhanced receptor affinity permanently
- Immediate conversion to nuclear receptors
Correct Answer: Internalization and degradation of receptors
Q49. Which endocrine axis involves hypothalamus → pituitary → thyroid → target organ?
- Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
- Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis
- Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
- Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis
Correct Answer: Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis
Q50. Which pharmacological principle is most relevant when replacing a deficient steroid hormone orally?
- Peptide hormones are well absorbed orally
- First-pass hepatic metabolism may reduce bioavailability
- All steroid hormones require injection only
- Oral administration always increases half-life
Correct Answer: First-pass hepatic metabolism may reduce bioavailability
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