PORTAGE LEARNING BIOD 152 FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 |
Modules 1-7 Comprehensive | Full Q&A | Graded A+ Standard
| Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
MODULE 1: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM (15 Questions)
Q1: Which hypothalamic hormone stimulates the anterior pituitary to release ACTH?
A. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
B. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). [CORRECT]
C. Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
D. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CRH is secreted by the hypothalamus in response to stress and circadian
rhythms, traveling via the hypophyseal portal system to stimulate corticotrophs in the
anterior pituitary to release ACTH. Distractor A (TRH) stimulates TSH and prolactin
release; C (GHRH) targets somatotrophs for GH release; D (GnRH) regulates FSH and
LH secretion. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis represents a critical
negative feedback loop where cortisol ultimately suppresses both CRH and ACTH
secretion.
Q2: A patient presents with polyuria, polydipsia, and dilute urine despite elevated serum
osmolality. Which hormone deficiency explains these findings?
A. Aldosterone
B. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH). [CORRECT]
C. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
D. Aldosterone and cortisol
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Diabetes insipidus results from ADH (vasopressin) deficiency or renal
resistance, impairing water reabsorption in the collecting ducts. Without ADH,
aquaporin-2 channels fail to insert into principal cell membranes, preventing water
reabsorption despite hyperosmolar medullary interstitium. Distractor A (aldosterone)
deficiency causes sodium wasting and hyperkalemia but not massive dilute polyuria; C
(ANP) antagonizes aldosterone but doesn't cause diabetes insipidus; D combines two
distinct pathologies incorrectly.
Q3: Match the following hormones with their primary target organs/tissues (Matching
format):
Column A:
1. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
2. Calcitonin
3. Thyroxine (T4)
4. Insulin
5. Glucagon
Column B:
A. Bone (osteoclasts) and kidneys
B. Liver, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue
C. Most body cells (increases metabolic rate)
D. Bone (osteoblasts)
E. Liver primarily
Correct Matching:
1. A (PTH increases osteoclast activity and renal calcium reabsorption) [CORRECT]
2. D (Calcitonin inhibits osteoclasts, promoting bone formation) [CORRECT]
3. C (T4 increases basal metabolic rate via Na+/K+-ATPase upregulation)
[CORRECT]
4. B (Insulin promotes glucose uptake and storage in target tissues) [CORRECT]
5. E (Glucagon stimulates hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis) [CORRECT]
,Rationale: PTH and calcitonin represent antagonistic calcium regulators—PTH raises
serum calcium while calcitonin lowers it. T4's widespread metabolic effects distinguish
it from peptide hormones with specific targets. Insulin and glucagon maintain glucose
homeostasis through opposing hepatic actions.
Q4: Which cellular mechanism characterizes the action of steroid hormones such as
cortisol and aldosterone?
A. Binding to cell surface receptors activating adenylyl cyclase
B. Diffusion through plasma membrane and binding intracellular receptors. [CORRECT]
C. Opening ligand-gated ion channels
D. Activation of Gq proteins and phospholipase C
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Steroid hormones are lipophilic, enabling passive diffusion through cell
membranes to bind cytoplasmic or nuclear receptors (e.g., glucocorticoid receptor). The
hormone-receptor complex acts as a transcription factor, altering gene expression—this
genomic action explains the delayed onset (hours) but prolonged duration of steroid
effects. Distractor A describes peptide hormones (e.g., ACTH) using cAMP second
messengers; C describes neurotransmitters like acetylcholine at nicotinic receptors; D
describes hormones like TRH using IP3/DAG pathways.
Q5: [DIAGRAM-BASED] Referring to the feedback loop diagram showing the
hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, thyroid gland, and peripheral tissues: Identify structure
"X" where thyroid hormones exert negative feedback inhibition.
A. Hypothalamus only
B. Anterior pituitary only
C. Both hypothalamus and anterior pituitary. [CORRECT]
D. Thyroid gland follicular cells
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Thyroid hormones (T3/T4) implement dual negative feedback at both
hypothalamic (suppressing TRH) and anterior pituitary (suppressing TSH) levels. This
redundant control ensures tight regulation of metabolic homeostasis. T3, the active
form, crosses the blood-brain barrier to act on hypothalamic TRH neurons while also
inhibiting thyrotroph TSH release. Distractor D incorrectly suggests autocrine feedback
within the thyroid itself.
Q6: A 45-year-old patient with Cushing's syndrome exhibits central obesity, moon facies,
and buffalo hump. These findings result from excessive:
A. Growth hormone
B. Cortisol. [CORRECT]
C. Thyroid hormone
D. Epinephrine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cortisol excess promotes visceral adiposity through lipolysis and
redistribution of fat to trunk and facial regions. Protein catabolism causes muscle
wasting and thin extremities contrasting with central obesity. Cortisol's
mineralocorticoid activity causes hypertension and hypokalemia. Distractor A (GH
excess) causes acromegaly with bony overgrowth; C (thyroid excess) causes weight
loss despite increased appetite; D (epinephrine excess) as in pheochromocytoma
causes episodic hypertension, sweating, and anxiety without characteristic fat
redistribution.
Q7: Which endocrine disorder results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta
cells?
A. Type 2 diabetes mellitus
B. Type 1 diabetes mellitus. [CORRECT]
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Metabolic syndrome
Modules 1-7 Comprehensive | Full Q&A | Graded A+ Standard
| Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
MODULE 1: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM (15 Questions)
Q1: Which hypothalamic hormone stimulates the anterior pituitary to release ACTH?
A. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
B. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). [CORRECT]
C. Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
D. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CRH is secreted by the hypothalamus in response to stress and circadian
rhythms, traveling via the hypophyseal portal system to stimulate corticotrophs in the
anterior pituitary to release ACTH. Distractor A (TRH) stimulates TSH and prolactin
release; C (GHRH) targets somatotrophs for GH release; D (GnRH) regulates FSH and
LH secretion. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis represents a critical
negative feedback loop where cortisol ultimately suppresses both CRH and ACTH
secretion.
Q2: A patient presents with polyuria, polydipsia, and dilute urine despite elevated serum
osmolality. Which hormone deficiency explains these findings?
A. Aldosterone
B. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH). [CORRECT]
C. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
D. Aldosterone and cortisol
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Diabetes insipidus results from ADH (vasopressin) deficiency or renal
resistance, impairing water reabsorption in the collecting ducts. Without ADH,
aquaporin-2 channels fail to insert into principal cell membranes, preventing water
reabsorption despite hyperosmolar medullary interstitium. Distractor A (aldosterone)
deficiency causes sodium wasting and hyperkalemia but not massive dilute polyuria; C
(ANP) antagonizes aldosterone but doesn't cause diabetes insipidus; D combines two
distinct pathologies incorrectly.
Q3: Match the following hormones with their primary target organs/tissues (Matching
format):
Column A:
1. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
2. Calcitonin
3. Thyroxine (T4)
4. Insulin
5. Glucagon
Column B:
A. Bone (osteoclasts) and kidneys
B. Liver, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue
C. Most body cells (increases metabolic rate)
D. Bone (osteoblasts)
E. Liver primarily
Correct Matching:
1. A (PTH increases osteoclast activity and renal calcium reabsorption) [CORRECT]
2. D (Calcitonin inhibits osteoclasts, promoting bone formation) [CORRECT]
3. C (T4 increases basal metabolic rate via Na+/K+-ATPase upregulation)
[CORRECT]
4. B (Insulin promotes glucose uptake and storage in target tissues) [CORRECT]
5. E (Glucagon stimulates hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis) [CORRECT]
,Rationale: PTH and calcitonin represent antagonistic calcium regulators—PTH raises
serum calcium while calcitonin lowers it. T4's widespread metabolic effects distinguish
it from peptide hormones with specific targets. Insulin and glucagon maintain glucose
homeostasis through opposing hepatic actions.
Q4: Which cellular mechanism characterizes the action of steroid hormones such as
cortisol and aldosterone?
A. Binding to cell surface receptors activating adenylyl cyclase
B. Diffusion through plasma membrane and binding intracellular receptors. [CORRECT]
C. Opening ligand-gated ion channels
D. Activation of Gq proteins and phospholipase C
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Steroid hormones are lipophilic, enabling passive diffusion through cell
membranes to bind cytoplasmic or nuclear receptors (e.g., glucocorticoid receptor). The
hormone-receptor complex acts as a transcription factor, altering gene expression—this
genomic action explains the delayed onset (hours) but prolonged duration of steroid
effects. Distractor A describes peptide hormones (e.g., ACTH) using cAMP second
messengers; C describes neurotransmitters like acetylcholine at nicotinic receptors; D
describes hormones like TRH using IP3/DAG pathways.
Q5: [DIAGRAM-BASED] Referring to the feedback loop diagram showing the
hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, thyroid gland, and peripheral tissues: Identify structure
"X" where thyroid hormones exert negative feedback inhibition.
A. Hypothalamus only
B. Anterior pituitary only
C. Both hypothalamus and anterior pituitary. [CORRECT]
D. Thyroid gland follicular cells
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Thyroid hormones (T3/T4) implement dual negative feedback at both
hypothalamic (suppressing TRH) and anterior pituitary (suppressing TSH) levels. This
redundant control ensures tight regulation of metabolic homeostasis. T3, the active
form, crosses the blood-brain barrier to act on hypothalamic TRH neurons while also
inhibiting thyrotroph TSH release. Distractor D incorrectly suggests autocrine feedback
within the thyroid itself.
Q6: A 45-year-old patient with Cushing's syndrome exhibits central obesity, moon facies,
and buffalo hump. These findings result from excessive:
A. Growth hormone
B. Cortisol. [CORRECT]
C. Thyroid hormone
D. Epinephrine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cortisol excess promotes visceral adiposity through lipolysis and
redistribution of fat to trunk and facial regions. Protein catabolism causes muscle
wasting and thin extremities contrasting with central obesity. Cortisol's
mineralocorticoid activity causes hypertension and hypokalemia. Distractor A (GH
excess) causes acromegaly with bony overgrowth; C (thyroid excess) causes weight
loss despite increased appetite; D (epinephrine excess) as in pheochromocytoma
causes episodic hypertension, sweating, and anxiety without characteristic fat
redistribution.
Q7: Which endocrine disorder results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta
cells?
A. Type 2 diabetes mellitus
B. Type 1 diabetes mellitus. [CORRECT]
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Metabolic syndrome
