MCQ Quiz: Endocrine System
The endocrine system, a network of glands that produce and release hormones, plays a pivotal role in regulating a myriad of bodily functions, including metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood. For PharmD students, understanding the intricacies of endocrine physiology and the pharmacological agents that modulate this system is essential for managing a wide array of conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and hormonal imbalances. This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of the endocrine glands, their hormones, and the pathophysiological consequences of endocrine dysfunction, as outlined in relevant pathophysiology and patient assessment coursework.
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the endocrine system?
- a) Rapid transmission of nerve impulses
- b) Regulation of body activities through hormones
- c) Filtration of blood and production of urine
- d) Defense against pathogens
Answer: b) Regulation of body activities through hormones
2. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are central to endocrine regulation. The anterior pituitary is also known as the:
- a) Neurohypophysis
- b) Adenohypophysis
- c) Pineal gland
- d) Adrenal medulla
Answer: b) Adenohypophysis
3. Which hormone is primarily responsible for regulating water and sodium homeostasis by acting on the kidneys?
- a) Aldosterone
- b) Insulin
- c) Thyroxine
- d) Parathyroid hormone
Answer: a) Aldosterone
4. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is primarily characterized by:
- a) Insulin resistance
- b) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
- c) Overproduction of glucagon
- d) Excessive insulin secretion
Answer: b) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
5. Which of the following hormones is NOT secreted by the anterior pituitary gland?
- a) Growth Hormone (GH)
- b) Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- c) Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
- d) Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
Answer: c) Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
6. What is the primary stimulus for the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells?
- a) Low blood glucose levels
- b) High blood glucose levels
- c) Somatostatin
- d) Epinephrine
Answer: b) High blood glucose levels
7. Which endocrine gland is responsible for producing calcitonin?
- a) Parathyroid gland
- b) Adrenal gland
- c) Thyroid gland
- d) Pituitary gland
Answer: c) Thyroid gland
8. Aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid, primarily acts on which part of the nephron to increase sodium reabsorption?
- a) Proximal convoluted tubule
- b) Loop of Henle
- c) Distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct
- d) Glomerulus
Answer: c) Distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct
9. Cushing’s syndrome is caused by an excess of which hormone?
- a) Thyroxine
- b) Insulin
- c) Cortisol
- d) Growth hormone
Answer: c) Cortisol
10. Which hormone plays a crucial role in male reproduction by stimulating Leydig cells to produce testosterone?
- a) Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- b) Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- c) Prolactin
- d) Oxytocin
Answer: b) Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
11. Hypothyroidism is characterized by:
- a) Weight loss, heat intolerance, and anxiety
- b) Weight gain, cold intolerance, and fatigue
- c) Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
- d) Muscle weakness, hypertension, and hypokalemia
Answer: b) Weight gain, cold intolerance, and fatigue
12. The primary function of parathyroid hormone (PTH) is to:
- a) Decrease blood calcium levels
- b) Increase blood calcium levels
- c) Decrease blood glucose levels
- d) Increase blood glucose levels
Answer: b) Increase blood calcium levels
13. Which of the following is a common complication of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus?
- a) Hypothyroidism
- b) Diabetic nephropathy
- c) Cushing’s syndrome
- d) Addison’s disease
Answer: b) Diabetic nephropathy
14. The adrenal medulla secretes which of the following hormones?
- a) Cortisol and aldosterone
- b) Epinephrine and norepinephrine
- c) Androgens and estrogens
- d) Glucagon and insulin
Answer: b) Epinephrine and norepinephrine
15. Goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland, can be caused by:
- a) Excess iodine intake only
- b) Iodine deficiency only
- c) Both iodine deficiency and excess iodine (in some cases)
- d) Excess parathyroid hormone
Answer: c) Both iodine deficiency and excess iodine (in some cases)
16. Somatostatin, produced by the delta cells of the pancreas, has what effect on insulin and glucagon secretion?
- a) Stimulates both
- b) Inhibits both
- c) Stimulates insulin, inhibits glucagon
- d) Inhibits insulin, stimulates glucagon
Answer: b) Inhibits both
17. Which hormone is responsible for the development and maintenance of female secondary sexual characteristics?
- a) Testosterone
- b) Progesterone
- c) Estrogen
- d) Prolactin
Answer: c) Estrogen
18. Acromegaly is caused by the overproduction of which hormone in adulthood?
- a) Thyroid hormone
- b) Cortisol
- c) Growth hormone
- d) Prolactin
Answer: c) Growth hormone
19. Addison’s disease results from the hyposecretion of hormones from which gland?
- a) Thyroid gland
- b) Pituitary gland
- c) Adrenal cortex
- d) Pancreas
Answer: c) Adrenal cortex
20. Which of the following is a key action of glucagon?
- a) Promotes glucose uptake by cells
- b) Stimulates glycogen synthesis
- c) Stimulates glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis
- d) Lowers blood glucose levels
Answer: c) Stimulates glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis
21. The endocrine control of growth involves which primary hormone from the anterior pituitary?
- a) Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- b) Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
- c) Growth Hormone (GH)
- d) Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Answer: c) Growth Hormone (GH)
22. Endocrine factors contributing to the regulation of appetite and satiety include hormones like leptin and ghrelin. Leptin generally:
- a) Stimulates appetite
- b) Suppresses appetite
- c) Increases fat storage
- d) Lowers metabolic rate
Answer: b) Suppresses appetite
23. The follicular cells of the thyroid gland are responsible for producing:
- a) Calcitonin
- b) Parathyroid hormone
- c) Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3)
- d) Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Answer: c) Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3)
24. A patient with hyperparathyroidism would most likely exhibit:
- a) Hypocalcemia
- b) Hypercalcemia
- c) Hypoglycemia
- d) Hyperglycemia
Answer: b) Hypercalcemia
25. Prolactin’s primary role is related to:
- a) Regulation of menstrual cycle
- b) Milk production
- c) Uterine contraction during labor
- d) Sperm maturation
Answer: b) Milk production
26. The “fight or flight” response is mediated by hormones released from the:
- a) Adrenal cortex
- b) Adrenal medulla
- c) Thyroid gland
- d) Pancreas
Answer: b) Adrenal medulla
27. Which class of drugs is commonly used to manage Type 2 Diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity?
- a) Sulfonylureas
- b) Meglitinides
- c) Biguanides (e.g., Metformin)
- d) Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Answer: c) Biguanides (e.g., Metformin)
28. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a critical role in regulating:
- a) Blood glucose levels
- b) Blood pressure and fluid balance
- c) Calcium metabolism
- d) Thyroid hormone production
Answer: b) Blood pressure and fluid balance
29. The pineal gland is responsible for producing which hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles?
- a) Serotonin
- b) Melatonin
- c) Dopamine
- d) Acetylcholine
Answer: b) Melatonin
30. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to:
- a) Hypothyroidism
- b) Hyperthyroidism
- c) Hypoparathyroidism
- d) Hyperparathyroidism
Answer: b) Hyperthyroidism
31. The precursor molecule for all steroid hormones, including cortisol and aldosterone, is:
- a) Amino acids
- b) Glucose
- c) Cholesterol
- d) Fatty acids
Answer: c) Cholesterol
32. The islets of Langerhans are clusters of endocrine cells found in which organ?
- a) Liver
- b) Spleen
- c) Pancreas
- d) Kidney
Answer: c) Pancreas
33. Which of the following physical signs could indicate endocrine dysfunction related to the thyroid?
- a) Jaundice
- b) Edema in the lower extremities
- c) Exophthalmos (bulging eyes)
- d) Ascites
Answer: c) Exophthalmos (bulging eyes)
34. In the endocrine control of female reproduction, which hormone is primarily responsible for ovulation?
- a) Estrogen surge
- b) Progesterone surge
- c) Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge
- d) Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) surge
Answer: c) Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge
35. The term “negative feedback” in the endocrine system refers to:
- a) A hormone stimulating its own release
- b) A hormone inhibiting the release of another hormone that stimulated its own release
- c) Two hormones having opposing effects
- d) A hormone having no effect on its target tissue
Answer: b) A hormone inhibiting the release of another hormone that stimulated its own release
36. Hormone receptors are typically found in which locations?
- a) Only on the cell surface
- b) Only within the cytoplasm
- c) Only within the nucleus
- d) On the cell surface, in the cytoplasm, or in the nucleus, depending on the hormone
Answer: d) On the cell surface, in the cytoplasm, or in the nucleus, depending on the hormone
37. A deficiency in antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or its action leads to which condition?
- a) Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH (SIADH)
- b) Diabetes Insipidus
- c) Diabetes Mellitus
- d) Hypoaldosteronism
Answer: b) Diabetes Insipidus
38. The primary mineralocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex is:
- a) Cortisol
- b) Androstenedione
- c) Aldosterone
- d) Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Answer: c) Aldosterone
39. Which of the following lab values would be most indicative of primary hypothyroidism?
- a) Low TSH, High T4
- b) High TSH, Low T4
- c) High TSH, High T4
- d) Low TSH, Low T4
Answer: b) High TSH, Low T4
40. Osteoporosis, a condition of weakened bones, can be exacerbated by long-term excess of which hormone?
- a) Insulin
- b) Calcitonin
- c) Corticosteroids
- d) Estrogen (in appropriate levels)
Answer: c) Corticosteroids
41. The process of converting amino acids or glycerol into glucose is known as:
- a) Glycogenolysis
- b) Glycolysis
- c) Gluconeogenesis
- d) Lipogenesis
Answer: c) Gluconeogenesis
42. Which cells in the testes are targeted by Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) to support spermatogenesis?
- a) Leydig cells
- b) Sertoli cells
- c) Spermatogonia
- d) Interstitial cells
Answer: b) Sertoli cells
43. The “dawn phenomenon” in diabetic patients refers to:
- a) A drop in blood glucose levels in the early morning
- b) An increase in blood glucose levels in the early morning
- c) Hypoglycemia after exercise
- d) Hyperglycemia immediately after meals
Answer: b) An increase in blood glucose levels in the early morning
44. What is the primary role of the hormone progesterone in the female reproductive cycle?
- a) Stimulates ovulation
- b) Prepares and maintains the uterine lining for pregnancy
- c) Stimulates follicle development
- d) Initiates labor
Answer: b) Prepares and maintains the uterine lining for pregnancy
45. Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal medulla that results in excessive secretion of:
- a) Cortisol
- b) Aldosterone
- c) Catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine)
- d) Androgens
Answer: c) Catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine)
46. The endocrine pancreas secretes hormones directly into the:
- a) Ducts leading to the small intestine
- b) Bloodstream
- c) Gallbladder
- d) Lymphatic system
Answer: b) Bloodstream
47. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition that typically leads to:
- a) Hyperthyroidism
- b) Hypothyroidism
- c) Euthyroid state
- d) Thyroid cancer
Answer: b) Hypothyroidism
48. Which of these is a tropic hormone?
- a) Insulin
- b) Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- c) Epinephrine
- d) Calcitonin
Answer: b) Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
49. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is crucial in the body’s response to:
- a) Sleep
- b) Hunger
- c) Stress
- d) Thirst
Answer: c) Stress
50. A common diagnostic test for diabetes mellitus that measures average blood glucose control over the past 2-3 months is:
- a) Fasting plasma glucose (FPG)
- b) Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
- c) Random plasma glucose
- d) Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
Answer: d) Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)