Understanding the secretions of endocrine glands is essential for B.Pharm students preparing for pharmacology and endocrinology exams. This focused set of Secretions of Endocrine Glands MCQs with Answer covers hormone synthesis, storage, release mechanisms, receptor interactions, feedback control, and clinical correlations. Questions emphasize pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreatic islets, parathyroid and gonadal secretions, pharmacologic modulation, and laboratory markers. Each MCQ is designed to strengthen conceptual clarity, improve recall, and assist in rapid revision for viva and competitive tests. Clear explanations of correct choices build reasoning skills for drug action and endocrine pathophysiology. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which hormone is primarily stored in secretory granules of pancreatic beta cells?
- Glucagon
- Somatostatin
- Insulin
- Pancreatic polypeptide
Correct Answer: Insulin
Q2. Which gland secretes antidiuretic hormone (ADH) that is synthesized in the hypothalamus?
- Pineal gland
- Posterior pituitary
- Anterior pituitary
- Adrenal medulla
Correct Answer: Posterior pituitary
Q3. Thyroid hormones are derived from which amino acid?
- Tryptophan
- Tyrosine
- Phenylalanine
- Histidine
Correct Answer: Tyrosine
Q4. Which enzyme catalyzes the iodination of tyrosyl residues in thyroglobulin?
- Thyroid peroxidase (TPO)
- Deiodinase
- Thyroglobulinase
- Thyroid reductase
Correct Answer: Thyroid peroxidase (TPO)
Q5. Which hormone primarily uses intracellular nuclear receptors to modulate gene transcription?
- Adrenaline
- Insulin
- Cortisol
- Glucagon
Correct Answer: Cortisol
Q6. The zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex primarily secretes which hormone?
- Cortisol
- Aldosterone
- Androgens
- Catecholamines
Correct Answer: Aldosterone
Q7. ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex via which second messenger pathway?
- IP3 and DAG
- cGMP
- cAMP
- Tyrosine kinase phosphorylation
Correct Answer: cAMP
Q8. Which hormone increases blood calcium by stimulating bone resorption?
- Calcitonin
- Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- Insulin
- Somatostatin
Correct Answer: Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Q9. Which cell type in the thyroid gland produces calcitonin?
- Follicular cells
- Parafollicular (C) cells
- Chief cells
- Chromaffin cells
Correct Answer: Parafollicular (C) cells
Q10. Which hormone is released from the anterior pituitary and stimulates thyroid hormone production?
- Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Prolactin
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Correct Answer: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Q11. Which transporter is critical for iodide uptake into thyroid follicular cells?
- Sodium-glucose cotransporter
- NIS (sodium-iodide symporter)
- ABC transporter
- P-glycoprotein
Correct Answer: NIS (sodium-iodide symporter)
Q12. Which enzyme converts T4 (thyroxine) to the more active T3 in peripheral tissues?
- Thyroid peroxidase
- Deiodinase
- Monoamine oxidase
- 5-alpha reductase
Correct Answer: Deiodinase
Q13.Catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine) are stored in which organelle in chromaffin cells?
- Mitochondria
Correct Answer: Secretory granules (chromaffin granules)
Q14.Which hormone uses a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) mechanism to exert effects?
- Insulin
- ACTH
- Glucagon
- ADH (V2 receptor)
Correct Answer: Insulin
Q15.Which pituitary hormone is released in a pulsatile manner and is key for growth and metabolism?
- Prolactin
- Growth hormone (GH)
- TSH
- Oxytocin
Correct Answer: Growth hormone (GH)
Q16.Which drug directly inhibits thyroid peroxidase and is used to treat hyperthyroidism?
- Levothyroxine
- Propylthiouracil (PTU)
- Insulin
- Hydrocortisone
Correct Answer: Propylthiouracil (PTU)
Q17.Which hormone increases hepatic gluconeogenesis and antagonizes insulin?
- Insulin-like growth factor
- Cortisol
- Prolactin
- Thyroxine
Correct Answer: Cortisol
Q18.Which cell type secretes glucagon in pancreatic islets?
- Alpha cells
- Beta cells
- Delta cells
- PP cells
Correct Answer: Alpha cells
Q19.Which molecule is the immediate precursor for synthesis of steroid hormones?
- Amino acids
- Cholesterol
- Palmitate
- Glucose
Correct Answer: Cholesterol
Q20.Which feedback mechanism primarily regulates cortisol secretion?
- Positive feedback via ACTH
- Negative feedback via cortisol on hypothalamus and pituitary
- Direct inhibition by aldosterone
- Autocrine stimulation by adrenal androgens
Correct Answer: Negative feedback via cortisol on hypothalamus and pituitary
Q21.Which hormone is primarily responsible for milk synthesis (lactation) stimulation?
- Oxytocin
- Prolactin
- Estrogen
- Growth hormone
Correct Answer: Prolactin
Q22.Which receptor subtype mediates the antidiuretic effect of vasopressin in the kidney?
- V1 receptor
- V2 receptor
- Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor
- Beta-2 adrenergic receptor
Correct Answer: V2 receptor
Q23.Which test is most sensitive for primary hypothyroidism screening?
- Total T3 measurement
- Total T4 measurement
- TSH measurement
- Thyroglobulin measurement
Correct Answer: TSH measurement
Q24.Which hormone is secreted in response to low blood glucose and raises glucose levels?
- Insulin
- Glucagon
- Somatostatin
- Adiponectin
Correct Answer: Glucagon
Q25.Which peptide hormone inhibits release of many other hormones including insulin and glucagon?
- Ghrelin
- Somatostatin
- Gastrin
- Secretin
Correct Answer: Somatostatin
Q26.Which enzyme catalyzes conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone in steroidogenesis?
- CYP11A1 (cholesterol desmolase)
- CYP17
- 17β-HSD
- Aromatase
Correct Answer: CYP11A1 (cholesterol desmolase)
Q27.Which hormone is primarily secreted by Leydig cells in testes?
- Inhibin
- Testosterone
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
Correct Answer: Testosterone
Q28.Which laboratory marker rises first in primary adrenal insufficiency due to low aldosterone?
- Decreased potassium excretion leading to hyperkalemia
- Decreased ACTH
- Increased cortisol
- Decreased renin
Correct Answer: Decreased potassium excretion leading to hyperkalemia
Q29.Which hormone stimulates renal calcium reabsorption and phosphate excretion?
- Calcitonin
- Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- Vitamin D (calcitriol)
- Aldosterone
Correct Answer: Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Q30.Which endocrine cell secretes insulin, glucagon and somatostatin respectively?
- Alpha, Beta, Delta
- Beta, Alpha, Delta
- Delta, Alpha, Beta
- PP, Beta, Alpha
Correct Answer: Beta, Alpha, Delta
Q31.Which hormone’s action is primarily mediated by Gq protein leading to IP3/DAG signaling?
- TSH via its receptor on thyroid
- Glucagon via its receptor
- V2 receptor for ADH
- ACTH via MC2 receptor
Correct Answer: ACTH via MC2 receptor
Q32.Which drug is a synthetic analogue of ADH used to treat central diabetes insipidus?
- Desmopressin (DDAVP)
- Conivaptan
- Furosemide
- Spironolactone
Correct Answer: Desmopressin (DDAVP)
Q33.Which hormone stimulates hepatic glycogenolysis during acute stress or exercise?
- Insulin
- Epinephrine
- Thyroxine
- Aldosterone
Correct Answer: Epinephrine
Q34.Which protein principally transports thyroid hormones in the plasma?
- Albumin
- Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG)
- Transferrin
- Gamma-globulin
Correct Answer: Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG)
Q35.Hypersecretion of growth hormone in adults leads to which condition?
- Gigantism
- Acromegaly
- Hypothyroidism
- Cushing’s disease
Correct Answer: Acromegaly
Q36.Which hormone secreted by the placenta maintains the corpus luteum in early pregnancy?
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
- Progesterone
- Estrogen
- Oxytocin
Correct Answer: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Q37.Which adrenal zone primarily synthesizes androgens (dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA)?
- Zona glomerulosa
- Zona fasciculata
- Zona reticularis
- Adrenal medulla
Correct Answer: Zona reticularis
Q38.Which hormone’s secretion is increased by hyperkalemia and reduced by hypokalemia?
- Aldosterone
- Cortisol
- Insulin
- Glucagon
Correct Answer: Aldosterone
Q39.Which endocrine pathology is characterized by autoantibodies stimulating the TSH receptor?
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Graves’ disease
- Subacute thyroiditis
- De Quervain’s thyroiditis
Correct Answer: Graves’ disease
Q40.Which peptide produced by the heart has endocrine effects lowering blood volume and blood pressure?
- Renin
- Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
- Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
- Angiotensin II
Correct Answer: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
Q41.Which hormone’s secretion is inhibited by dopamine from the hypothalamus?
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Growth hormone (GH)
- Prolactin
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Correct Answer: Prolactin
Q42.Which class of drugs stimulates insulin release by closing KATP channels in pancreatic beta cells?
- Biguanides
- Sulfonylureas
- Thiazolidinediones
- Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Correct Answer: Sulfonylureas
Q43.Which endocrine organ is derived from neural crest cells and secretes catecholamines?
- Adrenal cortex
- Adrenal medulla
- Pancreas
- Thyroid
Correct Answer: Adrenal medulla
Q44.Which hormone primarily mediates the “fight or flight” response?
- Insulin
- Adrenaline (epinephrine)
- Aldosterone
- Prolactin
Correct Answer: Adrenaline (epinephrine)
Q45.What is the main effect of parathyroid hormone on vitamin D metabolism?
- Inhibits 1α-hydroxylase and reduces active vitamin D
- Stimulates 1α-hydroxylase increasing active vitamin D (calcitriol)
- Converts calcitriol to inactive metabolites
- Blocks intestinal vitamin D absorption
Correct Answer: Stimulates 1α-hydroxylase increasing active vitamin D (calcitriol)
Q46.Which hormone is measured to assess pituitary lactotroph adenoma activity?
- TSH
- Prolactin
- GH
- ACTH
Correct Answer: Prolactin
Q47.Which endocrine change is characteristic of primary hyperthyroidism?
- High TSH, low T4
- Low TSH, high T4/T3
- Low TSH, low T4
- High TSH, high T4
Correct Answer: Low TSH, high T4/T3
Q48.Which hormone promotes uterine contraction during labor and milk ejection during breastfeeding?
- Oxytocin
- Prolactin
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
Correct Answer: Oxytocin
Q49.Which endocrine tumor secretes excess catecholamines causing episodic hypertension, headache and sweating?
- Pheochromocytoma
- Insulinoma
- Carcinoid tumor
- Thyroid adenoma
Correct Answer: Pheochromocytoma
Q50.Which hormone deficiency causes decreased gluconeogenesis, weight loss, hypotension and hyperpigmentation when ACTH is elevated?
- Cushing’s syndrome due to cortisol excess
- Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease) due to cortisol deficiency
- Hypothyroidism due to T4 deficiency
- Acromegaly due to GH excess
Correct Answer: Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease) due to cortisol deficiency
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