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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Systems Physiology
How do steroid hormones affect their target organs?
They bind to receptors on the cell membrane in order to be activated, allowing them to directly enter the cell
They attach to protein receptors on the cell membrane
They use a second messenger system to elicit an effect on target cells
They enter the nucleus and affect the transcription of genes
They travel to target organs by floating freely in the bloodstream
They enter the nucleus and affect the transcription of genes
Steroid hormones are nonpolar hormones that require carrier proteins in order to travel through the bloodstream. Once they reach their target cell, they are able to enter the cell's nucleus and affect the transcription of certain genes. Since steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol they are small and nonpolar, allowing them to freely diffuse across the membrane without protein mediation.
In contrast, peptide hormones and tyrosine derivatives are unable to freely cross the membrane due to size. Since these hormones cannot directly enter the cell, they generally initiate second messenger signal cascades. Peptide hormones are able to freely circulate, while tyrosine derivatives bind to carrier proteins in the blood.
Example Question #2 : Systems Physiology
Which of the following is a steroid hormone?
Cortisol
Parathyroid hormone
Insulin
Epinephrine
Cortisol
Cortisol is the only steroid hormone listed, some other examples would be estrogen and androgens. Insulin and parathyroid hormones are peptide hormones. Epinephrine is a catecholamine, which is a tyrosine derivative.
Example Question #1 : Systems Physiology
Which of the following is not a steroid hormone?
Thyroid-stimulating hormone
Estrogen
Aldosterone
Cortisol
Androgen
Thyroid-stimulating hormone
Estrogen, androgen, progesterone, cortisol, and aldosterone are all steroid hormones. Thyroid-stimulating hormone belongs to the class of hormones that are proteins, glycoproteins, and peptide hormones. Specifically, thyroid-stimulating hormone is a glycoprotein.
Example Question #4 : Systems Physiology
Prostaglandins belong to what class of hormones?
Steroids
Eicosanoids
Retinoids
Amines
Proteins
Eicosanoids
Eicosanoids are local paracrine and autocrine agents that play an important role in inflammation. The eicosanoids include the thromboxanes, lipoxins, leukotrienes, and the prostaglandins.
Example Question #1 : Systems Physiology
Which of the following is not an example of a lipid-soluble hormone?
Cortisol
Insulin
Prostaglandins
Thyroid hormones
Estrogen
Insulin
Insulin belongs to the "proteins and peptides" class of hormones. The proteins and peptides are water-soluble hormones. Thyroid hormones, all steroids, retinoids, prostaglandins and vitamin D are all examples of lipid-soluble hormones. Note that even though thyroid hormones are derived from the amino acid tyrosine, they are insoluble in water, and are carried in the blood by proteins.
Example Question #761 : Human Anatomy And Physiology
A particular hormone attaches to a receptor on its target organ and causes a secondary hormone signaling pathway to begin. What type of hormone is it?
Hydrophobic
Direct
Tropic
Hydrophilic
Initiation
Tropic
A direct hormone binds to its target organ and effects an immediate change. A tropic hormone causes a secondary messenger pathway to commence and effects a change at the end of the pathway resulting in the release of another hormone. Hydrophobic hormones refer to lipophilic molecules, while hydrophilic molecules are the opposite. An example of this is adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) released from the anterior pituitary. It's target is the adrenal cortex, and its action is to stimulate the adrenal cortex to release cortical hormones.
Example Question #2 : Hormone Physiology
Which of the following allows peptide hormones to initiate their effect on target cells?
They attach to carrier proteins in the bloodstream
They attach to receptors in the cytosol
They attach to the DNA in the nucleus
They attach to membrane receptors on the target cell
They attach to membrane receptors on the target cell
Peptide hormones are large polar hormones that are able to freely float in the bloodstream. Once they reach their target cells, peptide hormones attach to transmembrane receptors on the target cell. This generally initiates a second messenger signal cascade to amplify the response, eventually driving a change in genetic expression and transcription.
In contrast, steroid hormones are small and nonpolar. These characteristics allow them to freely diffuse across the plasma membrane of the cell and enter the nucleus, where they can directly act as transcription factors to regulate genetic expression.
Example Question #1 : Systems Physiology
Hypersecretion of the growth hormone during adulthood results in which of the following?
Gigantism, where the individual develops normal body and facial proportions in relation to his or her size
Gigantism, where the individual develops abnormal body and facial proportions in relation to his or her size
Dwarfism, where the individual develops normal body and facial proportions in relation to his or her size
Acromegaly, where the individual develops abnormal body and facial proportions in relation to his or her size
Acromegaly, where the individual develops normal body and facial proportions in relation to his or her size
Acromegaly, where the individual develops abnormal body and facial proportions in relation to his or her size
Hypersecretion, or oversecretion, of the growth hormone in adulthood results in a condition called acromegaly. The adult individual no longer has growth plates at this point, so the excess hormones interact with the receptors on the surface of bones. This results in coarse facial features, thickening of the dermis, and large hands and feet.
Gigantism is also a result from hypersecretion of the growth hormone, but it occurs during childhood when the individual still has his or her growth plates. Dwarfism is a result from hyposecretion, or undersecretion, of the growth hormone.
Example Question #1 : Endocrine And Reproductive Physiology
What is the primary target for gastrin?
Gastrointestinal tract and pancreas
Kidneys
Bone
Gonads
Gastrointestinal tract and pancreas
Gastrin is a hormone secreted by the stomach and small intestine that acts on the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. Many hormones, such as vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) and aldosterone act on the kidneys. Hormones that target bone are calcitonin and parathyroid hormone. Hormones that target gonads include follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.
Example Question #10 : Systems Physiology
What hormone does the heart secrete?
Thymosin
Oxytocin
Atrial natriuretic peptide
Androgens
Atrial natriuretic peptide
The heart secretes atrial natriuretic peptide, which acts on the kidneys. Oxytocin is secreted by the posterior pituitary. Thymosin is secreted by the thymus gland. Androgens are secreted by the adrenal cortex.
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