Endocrinology Practice Questions

Q: Which among the following is the function of ghrelin?

Stimulation of appetite. ***Stimulation of appetite*** - **Ghrelin** is often referred to as the **"hunger hormone"** because its primary function is to stimulate appetite. - Levels of ghrelin typically rise before meals and decrease after eating, signaling the brain to initiate food intake. *Suppression of appetite* - Hormones like **leptin** and **cholecystokinin (CCK)** are known to suppress appetite, acting as satiety signals. - Ghrelin has the opposite effect, promoting feelings of hunger rather than fullness. *Stimulation of sleep* - While ghrelin levels can influence **sleep-wake cycles** through its effects on the **hypothalamus**, its primary and most direct function is not the stimulation of sleep. - Sleep regulation is a complex process involving multiple neurotransmitters and hormones distinct from ghrelin's main role in hunger. *Regulation of gastric motility* - Although ghrelin can have some effects on **gastrointestinal motility**, its main function is not to regulate it. - Gastric motility is primarily influenced by hormones like **motilin** and the **enteric nervous system**.

Q: Which of the following has growth hormone stimulating activity?

Ghrelin. **Ghrelin** - Ghrelin is a **peptide hormone** primarily produced in the stomach, often referred to as the "**hunger hormone**." - It directly stimulates the secretion of **growth hormone (GH)** from the anterior pituitary gland, acting as a natural **growth hormone secretagogue**. *REM sleep* - While a significant portion of **growth hormone (GH) secretion** occurs during sleep, it is predominantly associated with **slow-wave sleep (NREM stage 3 and 4)** rather than REM sleep. - REM sleep is primarily characterized by dreaming and muscle atonia, with less direct correlation to GH pulsatility. *IGF-1* - **Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)** is a hormone primarily produced in the liver in response to growth hormone (GH). - IGF-1 actually exerts **negative feedback** on GH secretion, inhibiting its release rather than stimulating it. *Somatostatin* - **Somatostatin** is a peptide hormone produced in various tissues, including the hypothalamus and pancreas. - It acts as a **potent inhibitor** of growth hormone (GH) secretion from the anterior pituitary gland.

Q: Major hormone secreted by zona reticularis of adrenal cortex?

Androgens. ***Androgens*** - The **zona reticularis** is the innermost layer of the adrenal cortex and is primarily responsible for the production of **adrenal androgens**, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione. - These androgens contribute to secondary sexual characteristics, particularly in females, and can be converted to more potent androgens or estrogens in peripheral tissues. *Aldosterone* - **Aldosterone** is the primary **mineralocorticoid** and is secreted by the outermost layer of the adrenal cortex, the **zona glomerulosa**. - Its main role is to regulate **sodium and potassium balance** and **blood pressure** through its effects on the kidneys. *Glucocorticoids* - **Glucocorticoids**, with **cortisol** being the main one, are secreted by the middle layer of the adrenal cortex, the **zona fasciculata**. - They are involved in **glucose metabolism**, stress response, and immune system modulation. *Mineralocorticoids* - While androgens are steroid hormones, the term **mineralocorticoids** refers specifically to hormones like **aldosterone**, which are produced in the **zona glomerulosa**. - Their primary function is to regulate mineral balance, distinct from the sex hormone activity of androgens.

Q: Hypothalamus increases release of all hormones from the pituitary except ?

Prolactin. ***Prolactin*** - The hypothalamus primarily **inhibits prolactin release** from the anterior pituitary via **dopamine** (prolactin-inhibiting hormone). - All other hormones listed (ACTH, TSH, FSH/LH, GH) are stimulated by their respective hypothalamic releasing hormones. *ACTH* - The hypothalamus **increases ACTH release** by secreting **corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)**, which acts on the anterior pituitary. - CRH stimulates corticotrophs to synthesize and release ACTH, which then acts on the adrenal glands. *TSH* - The hypothalamus **increases TSH release** by secreting **thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)**, which stimulates thyrotrophs in the anterior pituitary. - TRH also has a minor stimulatory effect on prolactin release, but its primary role is TSH stimulation. *FSH* - The hypothalamus **increases FSH release** (along with LH) by secreting **gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)** in a pulsatile manner. - GnRH stimulates gonadotrophs in the anterior pituitary to produce and secrete both FSH and LH.

Q: Calcium absorption is increased by

1.25 Dihydrocholecalciferol. ***1.25 Dihydrocholecalciferol*** - **1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol** (calcitriol), the active form of vitamin D, plays a crucial role in **calcium homeostasis** by enhancing calcium absorption from the intestine. - This hormone stimulates the synthesis of **calcium-binding proteins** in intestinal epithelial cells, facilitating the uptake and transport of dietary calcium. *Hypercalcemia* - **Hypercalcemia** (high blood calcium levels) **inhibits** the production of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and **reduces the activation of vitamin D**, thereby decreasing calcium absorption. - The body aims to maintain calcium balance, so excessive calcium in the blood would trigger mechanisms to reduce further absorption, not increase it. *Oxalates in the diet* - **Oxalates** (found in foods like spinach and rhubarb) bind to calcium in the gut to form **insoluble calcium oxalate**, which cannot be absorbed. - This binding effectively **reduces the bioavailability** of dietary calcium, making it less available for absorption. *Iron overload* - **Iron overload** primarily affects iron metabolism and storage, with limited direct impact on calcium absorption mechanisms. - While excessive iron can have systemic effects, it does not directly enhance the absorption of calcium from the intestine.

Q: What is the effect of inhibin B hormone?

Inhibits FSH secretion from anterior pituitary. ***Inhibits FSH secretion from anterior pituitary*** - **Inhibin B** is a hormone produced by the **Sertoli cells** in males and **granulosa cells** in females. - Its primary function is to provide **negative feedback** to the anterior pituitary, specifically **inhibiting the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)**. *Stimulates Sertoli cell proliferation* - **FSH** (not inhibin B) is responsible for stimulating **Sertoli cell proliferation** and differentiation. - **Inhibin B** is produced by mature Sertoli cells, indicating their functional status rather than promoting their growth. *Directly stimulates seminiferous tubule development* - **FSH** and **testosterone** are the primary hormones crucial for the development and maintenance of the **seminiferous tubules**. - **Inhibin B** acts indirectly by regulating FSH, but it does not directly stimulate tubule development. *Directly enhances spermatogenesis rate* - While **inhibin B** production is correlated with the rate of spermatogenesis (it's high when spermatogenesis is active), it does not directly enhance the process. - **FSH** and **testosterone** are the direct hormonal regulators that enhance the rate of **spermatogenesis**.

Q: The hormone that links obesity and puberty

Leptin. ***Leptin*** - **Leptin** is a hormone produced by **adipose tissue** (fat cells) that signals satiety and plays a crucial role in regulating energy balance. Because it is directly proportional to the amount of body fat, higher levels associated with **obesity** can accelerate the onset of puberty. - High leptin levels are thought to signal to the **hypothalamus** that there are sufficient energy reserves for reproduction, thereby triggering the cascade of hormonal events necessary for **puberty**. *Ghrelin* - **Ghrelin** is an appetite-stimulating hormone primarily produced in the stomach, often referred to as the "**hunger hormone.**" - It does not directly link obesity with the initiation of puberty; its primary role is in short-term appetite regulation and energy homeostasis. *Thyroid hormone* - **Thyroid hormones** (T3 and T4) are essential for **growth, development**, and **metabolic rate**. - While thyroid dysfunction can affect overall growth and energy metabolism, it does not directly link obesity to the timing of puberty initiation. *Growth hormone* - **Growth hormone (GH)** is critical for linear growth during childhood and adolescence and influences metabolism. - While GH is vital for overall development, it does not directly mediate the connection between the *amount of adipose tissue* and the *onset of puberty* in the way leptin does.

Q: Regarding thyroid hormone all are true except:

T4 has shorter half life than T3. ***T4 has shorter half-life than T3*** - This statement is incorrect because **T4 (thyroxine) has a significantly longer half-life (approximately 7 days)** compared to **T3 (triiodothyronine), which has a half-life of about 1-2 days**. - The longer half-life of T4 allows for a more stable and sustained effect, acting as a prohormone. *T4 has the maximum plasma concentration* - **T4 is secreted in much larger quantities from the thyroid gland than T3 (about 80% T4 vs. 20% T3)**, leading to a higher concentration in the plasma. - This high plasma concentration of T4 makes it the primary circulating thyroid hormone, mostly bound to plasma proteins. *T3 is more avidly bound to nuclear receptors than T4* - **T3 binds to nuclear thyroid hormone receptors with 10 to 15 times greater affinity than T4**, making it the more potent and biologically active form. - This stronger binding affinity is crucial for T3's direct physiological effects on target cells. *T3 is more active than T4* - **T3 is considered the metabolically active form of thyroid hormone**, directly mediating most physiological effects by binding to nuclear receptors. - T4 acts largely as a **prohormone**, being deiodinated in peripheral tissues to form T3, which then exerts metabolic activity.

Q: Which of the following compounds antagonizes the actions of insulin?

Growth hormone. ***Growth hormone*** - **Growth hormone (GH)** is a potent **anti-insulin hormone** that raises blood glucose by promoting **gluconeogenesis** and reducing glucose utilization by peripheral tissues. - It decreases **insulin sensitivity** in target tissues like muscle and adipose tissue, often leading to a temporary state of **insulin resistance**. *Substance P* - **Substance P** is a **neuropeptide** involved in pain transmission and inflammation, and its primary actions do not directly involve glucose metabolism or insulin antagonism. - While it can influence local metabolic processes, it does not exert systemic effects on insulin action. *Neuropeptide Y* - **Neuropeptide Y (NPY)** is a **neurotransmitter** primarily involved in stimulating appetite and reducing energy expenditure, playing a role in weight regulation. - Although it affects metabolic balance, NPY does not directly antagonize insulin's actions on glucose uptake or utilization. *Vasoactive intestinal peptide* - **Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)** is a **neurotransmitter** and hormone that primarily affects smooth muscle relaxation, exocrine and endocrine secretions, and local blood flow. - It does not directly antagonize insulin's effects on glucose metabolism or directly impact insulin sensitivity in a significant way.

Q: Sympathetic stimulation has the following effect on insulin release

Inhibition. ***Inhibition*** - **Sympathetic nervous system** activation primarily leads to **inhibition** of insulin release through **alpha-2 adrenergic receptors** on pancreatic beta cells. - This effect is crucial during stress or exercise, as it helps to conserve glucose for vital organs by limiting its uptake into peripheral tissues. *Inhibition followed by stimulation* - While sympathetic activation primarily inhibits insulin release, there can be a **minor stimulatory effect** via **beta-2 adrenergic receptors** at higher concentrations of catecholamines or in specific physiological contexts, but the predominant initial effect is inhibition. - This option does not represent the primary and immediate action of typical sympathetic stimulation on insulin secretion. *No effect* - This is incorrect as the pancreatic beta cells are richly innervated by the **autonomic nervous system**, and sympathetic activity has a well-established direct influence on insulin secretion. - The body's need to regulate blood glucose tightly under stress or activity necessitates a direct effect from the sympathetic nervous system. *Stimulation* - **Stimulation of insulin release** is predominantly mediated by the **parasympathetic nervous system** (via acetylcholine) and high blood glucose levels. - Sympathetic stimulation generally exerts a counter-regulatory effect to ensure glucose availability during periods of increased demand.

Question 1

Which among the following is the function of ghrelin?

Accepted Answer

Stimulation of appetite

Answer

Suppression of appetite

Answer

Stimulation of sleep

Answer

Regulation of gastric motility

Question 2

Which of the following has growth hormone stimulating activity?

Accepted Answer

Ghrelin

Answer

REM sleep

Answer

IGF-1

Answer

Somatostatin

Question 3

Major hormone secreted by zona reticularis of adrenal cortex?

Accepted Answer

Androgens

Answer

Aldosterone

Answer

Glucocorticoids

Answer

Mineralocorticoids

Question 4

Hypothalamus increases release of all hormones from the pituitary except ?

Accepted Answer

Prolactin

Answer

ACTH

Answer

TSH

Answer

FSH

Question 5

Calcium absorption is increased by

Accepted Answer

1.25 Dihydrocholecalciferol

Answer

Hypercalcemia

Answer

Oxalates in the diet

Answer

Iron overload

Question 6

What is the effect of inhibin B hormone?

Accepted Answer

Inhibits FSH secretion from anterior pituitary

Answer

Stimulates Sertoli cell proliferation

Answer

Directly stimulates seminiferous tubule development

Answer

Directly enhances spermatogenesis rate

Question 7

The hormone that links obesity and puberty

Accepted Answer

Leptin

Answer

Ghrelin

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Answer

Growth hormone

Question 8

Regarding thyroid hormone all are true except:

Accepted Answer

T4 has shorter half life than T3

Answer

T4 has the maximum plasma concentration

Answer

T3 is more avidly bound to nuclear receptors than T4

Answer

T3 is more active than T4

Question 9

Which of the following compounds antagonizes the actions of insulin?

Accepted Answer

Growth hormone

Answer

Substance P

Answer

Neuropeptide Y

Answer

Vasoactive intestinal peptide

Question 10

Sympathetic stimulation has the following effect on insulin release

Accepted Answer

Inhibition

Answer

Inhibition followed by stimulation

Answer

No effect

Answer

Stimulation

Endocrinology — MCQs

Endocrinology — MCQs

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