GRE Subject Test: Biology : Understanding Hormone Functions
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Hormones
The interaction between blood pressure and kidney function in humans requires coordination by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). This system involves the dynamic interplay of the kidneys, lungs, and blood vessels to carefully regulate sodium and water balance.
A normal human kidney has cells adjacent to the glomerulus called juxtaglomerular cells. These cells sense sodium content in urine of the distal convoluted tubule, releasing renin in response to a low level. Renin is an enzyme that converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin I (AI). AI is converted to angiotensin II (AII) by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in the lung.
AII stimulates aldosterone secretion in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal gland. Aldosterone then acts to upregulate the sodium-potassium pump on the basolateral side of distal tubule epithelial cells to increase sodium reabsorption from the urine, as well as increasing potassium excretion.
Renin is most likely to drive the formation of angiotensin I from angiotensinogen by doing which of the following?
I. Increasing the concentration of angiotensinogen
II. Lowering the activation energy of the reaction from angiotensinogen to angiotensin I
III. Stabilizing the angiotensin I molecule to lower the energy of the products
I,II, and III
III only
II and III
II only
I only
II only
Renin, as the passage establishes, is an enzyme. Enzymes always work by leaving the thermodynamic energies of the products and reactants the same, but lower activation energy of the reaction. Angiotensinogen is released by the liver, and converted by renin to angiotensin I. Renin does not directly act on the liver to stimulate angiotensinogen release.
Example Question #1 : Endocrine System
What is the name of the hormone responsible for raising blood calcium levels?
Thyroxine
Glucagon
Parathyroid hormone
Calcitonin
Parathyroid hormone
Blood calcium levels are controlled primarily by two hormones: parathyroid hormone and calcitonin. Calcitonin is synthesized by the thyroid gland and decreases blood calcium levels. Parathyroid hormone acts as an antagonist to calcitonin and raises blood calcium levels.
Thyroxine, or T4, is a thyroid hormone involved in increasing basal metabolic rate. Glucagon stimulates the liver to release glucose into the blood, and raise blood glucose levels.
Example Question #1 : Endocrine System
What is the purpose of antidiuretic hormone in the body?
Lowers the blood pressure
Raises the basal metabolic rate
Increases blood calcium levels
Concentrates the urine
Concentrates the urine
Antidiuretic hormone is released by the posterior pituitary gland, and acts on the kidneys in order to concentrate the urine. Alcohol can inhibit ADH, which can result in excessive urine production and potential dehydration.
Example Question #3 : Endocrine System
Which of the following hormones will increase cortisol secretion in a normal individual?
Adrenocorticotropic hormone
Aldosterone
Thyroid stimulating hormone
Luteinizing hormone
Adrenocorticotropic hormone
Cortisol is secreted by the adrenal gland. We need to identify the hormone responsible for stimulating the adrenal gland and prompting it to release cortisol. This job is accomplished by adrenocorticotropic hormone (or ACTH). While aldosterone is secreted by the adrenal gland, it does not impact the release of cortisol to any significant degree.
Example Question #4 : Endocrine System
Which of the following features would you expect to see in an individual with a deficient posterior pituitary gland?
Low testosterone levels
Dehydration
Low blood calcium levels
Reduced basal metabolic rate
Dehydration
The two main hormones of interest that are secreted by the posterior pituitary gland are antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin. Antidiuretic hormone plays a key role in retaining water at the level of the kidney. In patients with no ADH, fluid retention is severely diminished. Symptoms of this include frequent urination, hyperosmolality, and dehydration.
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