Functions of hormones MCQs With Answer

Functions of hormones MCQs With Answer is a focused study resource tailored for B.Pharm students to master endocrine physiology and pharmacology. This concise introduction explores hormone synthesis, mechanisms of action, receptor types, second messenger systems, and physiological effects on metabolism, growth, reproduction, fluid–electrolyte balance, and stress responses. Keywords such as hormone functions, endocrine system, signal transduction, hormonal regulation, and MCQs are integrated to boost SEO relevance and support exam preparation. Each question emphasizes clinical correlations and drug actions to deepen understanding beyond memorization. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which of the following is the primary acute action of insulin on peripheral tissues?

• Increase hepatic gluconeogenesis
• Increase glucose uptake into muscle and adipose tissue
• Increase lipolysis in adipose tissue
• Increase protein catabolism

Correct Answer: Increase glucose uptake into muscle and adipose tissue

Q2. Glucagon primarily acts to:

• Decrease blood glucose by promoting glycogen synthesis
• Increase blood glucose by stimulating hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis
• Enhance insulin secretion from beta cells
• Promote peripheral glucose uptake in muscle

Correct Answer: Increase blood glucose by stimulating hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis

Q3. Which second messenger is most commonly associated with peptide hormone receptors that activate adenylate cyclase?

• cAMP
• IP3
• Calcium-calmodulin
• cGMP

Correct Answer: cAMP

Q4. Thyroid hormones (T3/T4) primarily exert their effects by:

• Activating cell-surface GPCRs to raise cAMP
• Binding intracellular nuclear receptors and regulating gene transcription
• Stimulating tyrosine kinase receptors on the cell membrane
• Directly opening ion channels to alter membrane potential

Correct Answer: Binding intracellular nuclear receptors and regulating gene transcription

Q5. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases serum calcium by all EXCEPT:

• Stimulating osteoclast-mediated bone resorption
• Increasing renal calcium reabsorption
• Increasing renal phosphate reabsorption
• Stimulating activation of vitamin D (calcitriol)

Correct Answer: Increasing renal phosphate reabsorption

Q6. Aldosterone primarily acts on the kidney to:

• Increase potassium reabsorption and sodium excretion
• Increase sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion
• Increase water excretion by inhibiting aquaporin insertion
• Stimulate renin release from juxtaglomerular cells

Correct Answer: Increase sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion

Q7. Cortisol effects include all EXCEPT:

• Promoting gluconeogenesis
• Suppressing immune and inflammatory responses
• Increasing peripheral glucose uptake into muscle
• Enhancing protein catabolism in muscle

Correct Answer: Increasing peripheral glucose uptake into muscle

Q8. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH, vasopressin) increases renal water reabsorption mainly via:

• V1 receptors increasing vascular tone
• V2 receptor-mediated insertion of aquaporin-2 channels in collecting duct
• Increasing glomerular filtration rate by dilating afferent arteriole
• Stimulating aldosterone synthesis directly

Correct Answer: V2 receptor-mediated insertion of aquaporin-2 channels in collecting duct

Q9. Growth hormone (GH) stimulates growth largely through:

• Direct activation of intracellular steroid receptors
• Induction of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) production in the liver
• Increasing thyroid hormone secretion from thyroid gland
• Decreasing protein synthesis in peripheral tissues

Correct Answer: Induction of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) production in the liver

Q10. Which hormone exhibits a positive feedback mechanism during the menstrual cycle to trigger ovulation?

• Progesterone
• Inhibin
• Estrogen (estradiol) on LH secretion
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on GnRH

Correct Answer: Estrogen (estradiol) on LH secretion

Q11. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is essential for:

• Converting T4 to T3 in peripheral tissues
• Iodination of tyrosyl residues and coupling of iodotyrosines during thyroid hormone synthesis
• Transporting thyroid hormones in blood bound to carrier proteins
• Deiodination and inactivation of thyroid hormones

Correct Answer: Iodination of tyrosyl residues and coupling of iodotyrosines during thyroid hormone synthesis

Q12. Which hormone primarily increases bone formation by stimulating osteoblast activity?

• Parathyroid hormone (continuous high levels)
• Calcitonin
• Intermittent parathyroid hormone (teriparatide) administration
• Cortisol

Correct Answer: Intermittent parathyroid hormone (teriparatide) administration

Q13. Mechanism of action of steroid hormones typically involves:

• Binding to cell-surface tyrosine kinase receptors
• Direct activation of G-protein coupled receptors causing immediate ion flux
• Diffusion through cell membrane and modulation of gene transcription after binding nuclear receptors
• Conversion to peptide hormones before receptor binding

Correct Answer: Diffusion through cell membrane and modulation of gene transcription after binding nuclear receptors

Q14. Which hormone lowers serum calcium concentration by inhibiting osteoclast activity?

• Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
• Calcitonin
• Vitamin D (calcitriol)
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Correct Answer: Calcitonin

Q15. The primary physiological stimulus for aldosterone secretion is:

• High plasma sodium concentration
• Activation of the renin-angiotensin II system due to decreased renal perfusion
• ACTH from the pituitary exclusively
• High atrial natriuretic peptide levels

Correct Answer: Activation of the renin-angiotensin II system due to decreased renal perfusion

Q16. Which intracellular signalling pathway is classically activated by catecholamines (epinephrine) acting on beta-adrenergic receptors?

• IP3/DAG pathway
• cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) pathway via adenylate cyclase
• JAK-STAT pathway
• Receptor tyrosine kinase autophosphorylation

Correct Answer: cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) pathway via adenylate cyclase

Q17. Which hormone is synthesized in the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary for release?

• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• Oxytocin
• Prolactin

Correct Answer: Oxytocin

Q18. Which hormone’s major function is to stimulate milk production in the mammary glands?

• Oxytocin
• Prolactin
• Estrogen
• Progesterone

Correct Answer: Prolactin

Q19. Which enzyme converts inactive cortisone to active cortisol in target tissues?

• 11β-Hydroxylase
• 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1)
• Aromatase
• 5α-Reductase

Correct Answer: 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1)

Q20. Insulin’s effect on lipid metabolism includes:

• Stimulating hormone-sensitive lipase to increase lipolysis
• Promoting lipogenesis and inhibiting lipolysis
• Increasing ketogenesis in the liver
• Decreasing triglyceride storage in adipose tissue

Correct Answer: Promoting lipogenesis and inhibiting lipolysis

Q21. Which hormone stimulates hepatic gluconeogenesis and is part of the counter-regulatory response to hypoglycemia?

• Insulin
• Glucagon
• Prolactin
• Aldosterone

Correct Answer: Glucagon

Q22. Which carrier protein primarily transports thyroid hormones in plasma?

• Albumin exclusively
• Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG)
• Transferrin
• Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)

Correct Answer: Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG)

Q23. Somatostatin inhibits secretion of which of the following hormones?

• Insulin and growth hormone
• Thyroid hormones only
• Parathyroid hormone only
• Renin and aldosterone

Correct Answer: Insulin and growth hormone

Q24. Which receptor type mediates the effects of peptide hormones like insulin?

• Nuclear receptor to regulate gene transcription directly
• Intracellular GPCR with nuclear localization signal
• Cell-surface receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)
• Ion channel-linked receptor exclusively

Correct Answer: Cell-surface receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)

Q25. Which hormone increases basal metabolic rate and oxygen consumption?

• Cortisol
• Thyroid hormones (T3/T4)
• Insulin
• Aldosterone

Correct Answer: Thyroid hormones (T3/T4)

Q26. The main effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is to:

• Increase aldosterone secretion
• Promote sodium excretion and decrease blood volume
• Stimulate renin release and angiotensin II formation
• Increase ADH release from posterior pituitary

Correct Answer: Promote sodium excretion and decrease blood volume

Q27. Which hormone is responsible for the stress-induced increase in blood glucose, blood pressure, and protein catabolism?

• Insulin
• Cortisol
• Calcitonin
• Oxytocin

Correct Answer: Cortisol

Q28. A defect in iodine uptake by the thyroid gland would most directly reduce production of:

• TSH
• T3 and T4
• Calcitonin
• Parathyroid hormone

Correct Answer: T3 and T4

Q29. Which hormone increases renal phosphate excretion while increasing serum calcium?

• Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
• Calcitonin
• Vitamin D (calcitriol)
• Aldosterone

Correct Answer: Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Q30. Which pharmacologic agent is a synthetic V2 receptor agonist used to treat central diabetes insipidus?

• Hydrocortisone
• Desmopressin (DDAVP)
• Spironolactone
• Levothyroxine

Correct Answer: Desmopressin (DDAVP)

Q31. The primary action of aldosterone on the distal nephron is mediated by which receptor class?

• Membrane-bound G-protein coupled receptor
• Intracellular mineralocorticoid receptor that regulates gene transcription
• Receptor tyrosine kinase
• Ligand-gated ion channel

Correct Answer: Intracellular mineralocorticoid receptor that regulates gene transcription

Q32. Epinephrine’s action on liver glycogenolysis is primarily through which receptor subtype?

• Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor
• Beta-2 adrenergic receptor
• Muscarinic receptor
• Mineralocorticoid receptor

Correct Answer: Beta-2 adrenergic receptor

Q33. Which hormone’s secretion follows a circadian rhythm with peak levels in the early morning?

• Melatonin
• Cortisol
• Prolactin
• Parathyroid hormone

Correct Answer: Cortisol

Q34. Leptin primarily signals to the hypothalamus to:

• Increase appetite and food intake
• Decrease appetite and increase energy expenditure
• Stimulate insulin secretion directly from pancreas
• Promote gluconeogenesis in liver

Correct Answer: Decrease appetite and increase energy expenditure

Q35. Which of the following hormones uses the JAK-STAT pathway for intracellular signaling?

• Insulin via RTK
• Growth hormone and many cytokines
• Steroid hormones via nuclear receptors
• Thyroid hormones via intracellular receptors

Correct Answer: Growth hormone and many cytokines

Q36. Which hormone stimulates uterine contractions during labor and milk ejection during breastfeeding?

• Prolactin
• Oxytocin
• Estrogen
• Progesterone

Correct Answer: Oxytocin

Q37. Which endocrine abnormality is characterized by low cortisol, low aldosterone, hyperpigmentation, and high ACTH?

• Cushing’s syndrome due to exogenous steroids
• Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease)
• Secondary adrenal insufficiency due to pituitary failure
• Primary hyperaldosteronism

Correct Answer: Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease)

Q38. Which vitamin is essential for intestinal absorption of calcium and is activated in the kidney under PTH influence?

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D (calcitriol)
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin K

Correct Answer: Vitamin D (calcitriol)

Q39. Beta-blockers reduce the effects of epinephrine by antagonizing which receptor family?

• Alpha-adrenergic receptors
• Beta-adrenergic receptors
• Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors
• Dopamine receptors

Correct Answer: Beta-adrenergic receptors

Q40. Which hormone secreted by adipose tissue improves insulin sensitivity and has anti-inflammatory effects?

• Leptin
• Adiponectin
• Resistin
• Ghrelin

Correct Answer: Adiponectin

Q41. Which pituitary hormone stimulates adrenal cortisol production?

• TSH
• LH
• ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)
• GH

Correct Answer: ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)

Q42. Which hormone synthesized by the pineal gland regulates sleep-wake cycles?

• Melatonin
• Serotonin
• Thyroxine
• Ghrelin

Correct Answer: Melatonin

Q43. Which enzyme deficiency impairs cortisol synthesis but often results in adrenal androgen excess and hypertension in some forms?

• 11β-Hydroxylase deficiency
• Aromatase deficiency
• Thyroid peroxidase deficiency
• Transketolase deficiency

Correct Answer: 11β-Hydroxylase deficiency

Q44. Which hormone increases during pregnancy to maintain the corpus luteum early and support progesterone production?

• Prolactin
• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
• FSH
• Oxytocin

Correct Answer: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Q45. Which endocrine tumor is classically associated with episodic headaches, sweating, and hypertension?

• Thyroid adenoma
• Pheochromocytoma
• Prolactinoma
• Cushing adenoma

Correct Answer: Pheochromocytoma

Q46. Which hormone is responsible for closing of the epiphyseal growth plates during puberty?

• Growth hormone alone
• Thyroid hormone exclusively
• Sex steroids (estrogens and androgens)
• Prolactin

Correct Answer: Sex steroids (estrogens and androgens)

Q47. The major mechanism by which insulin lowers blood glucose is by:

• Decreasing glycogen synthesis in liver
• Stimulating GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane in muscle and adipose tissue
• Blocking glycolysis in peripheral tissues
• Inhibiting lipogenesis in adipose tissue

Correct Answer: Stimulating GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane in muscle and adipose tissue

Q48. Which hormone decreases gastric emptying and is a target for incretin-based diabetes therapies?

• Ghrelin
• Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)
• Gastrin
• Secretin

Correct Answer: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)

Q49. Negative feedback regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is primarily exerted by:

• ACTH on CRH release
• Cortisol on CRH and ACTH secretion
• Renin on aldosterone release
• Vasopressin on oxytocin release

Correct Answer: Cortisol on CRH and ACTH secretion

Q50. Which of the following pairs correctly matches a hormone with its major site of synthesis?

• Insulin — adrenal cortex
• Parathyroid hormone — parathyroid glands
• Aldosterone — posterior pituitary
• Thyroid hormone — pancreas

Correct Answer: Parathyroid hormone — parathyroid glands

G S Sachin

I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.

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