Endocrinology: Hormones and Medical History

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Questions and Answers

Historically, what was the primary reason for the practice of castration in both Eastern and Western cultures?

To decrease sex drive and induce infertility. (correct)
To prevent certain genetic diseases.
To enhance physical strength.
To improve cognitive functions.

Prior to the advancements in endocrinology, what would have been the likely outcome for someone with David's condition (diabetes mellitus)?

Normal life expectancy with regular exercise.
Prolonged life with restricted diets.
Complete recovery with herbal remedies.
Rapid death after the onset of symptoms. (correct)

Which of the following best describes the field of endocrinology?

The study of genetic mutations.
The study of infectious diseases.
The study of the nervous system.
The study of hormones. (correct)

What physiological process does insulin, the hormone David is deficient in, primarily regulate?

Glucose concentration in blood. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Considering the historical context provided, what is an inference about the relationship between scientific advancements and medical outcomes?

Scientific advancements can significantly improve medical outcomes and lifespan. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes peptide hormones from steroid hormones in terms of cellular entry?

Peptide hormones bind to surface receptors, while steroid hormones can enter the target cell. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the signal sequence in preprohormone synthesis?

It directs the peptide chain into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the MOST critical criterion for classifying a chemical signal as a hormone?

It elicits a specific physiological response in target cells. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A pharmaceutical company is developing a new drug that mimics the action of a specific hormone. To maximize the drug's effectiveness, researchers should focus on:

Ensuring the drug binds with high affinity to the hormone's receptor on target cells. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Where does the conversion of a preprohormone to a prohormone take place?

In the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher discovers a new hormone that is a large peptide. Which of the following would you expect to be true regarding its synthesis and storage?

It is synthesized on ribosomes and stored in secretory vesicles. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the function of the Golgi complex in peptide hormone synthesis?

Processing prohormones into active hormones and packaging them into secretory vesicles. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the difference in function between the anterior and posterior pituitary glands?

The anterior pituitary synthesizes and releases hormones, while the posterior pituitary only stores and secretes hormones produced by the hypothalamus. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the release of peptide hormones from the cell?

Exocytosis of secretory vesicles. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organs produces steroid hormones?

The adrenal cortex (D) Signup and view all the answers

A patient presents with elevated levels of thyroid hormone ($T_3$ and $T_4$) and low levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This pattern suggests a problem with the:

Thyroid gland itself. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Besides the adrenal glands and gonads, which other tissue or organ can produce steroid hormones?

The skin (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly pairs an anterior pituitary hormone with its primary target?

Growth Hormone - Liver (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best explains how comparative endocrinology contributes to our understanding of human physiology?

By providing insights into the evolutionary origins and conserved functions of hormones and their receptors. (B) Signup and view all the answers

If a drug inhibits the activity of enzymes in the Golgi complex, what aspect of peptide hormone production would be most directly affected?

The cleavage of prohormones into active hormones. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A person is diagnosed with a tumor in the anterior pituitary that causes excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH). Which of the following feedback mechanisms would be disrupted in this scenario?

Long-loop negative feedback of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) on the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios would NOT align with the experimental steps traditionally used to determine the function of a hormone?

Administering a hormone-blocking drug to observe the impact on the animal. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher discovers a new molecule secreted by cells in the gut that affects appetite. To classify this molecule as a hormone, what criteria must be met?

It must be secreted into the bloodstream to reach its target cells. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does replacement therapy help determine the role of a hormone?

By assessing whether administering the hormone eliminates deficiency symptoms. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the distinction between a hormone and an ectohormone?

Hormones are secreted into the blood, while ectohormones are secreted into the external environment. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of creating a state of hormone excess in the traditional steps to determine the function of a hormone?

To determine if abnormally high hormone levels induce characteristic symptoms. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which example describes a neurohormone?

A chemical signal released by a neuron into the bloodstream that affects blood pressure. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A scientist identifies a new signaling molecule that is secreted by skin cells and affects the behavior of other individuals. How would this molecule be classified?

Pheromone (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is purification of gland extracts an important step in identifying a new hormone?

To isolate the active substance responsible for the observed physiological effects. (C) Signup and view all the answers

A steroid hormone's genomic effect directly involves which of the following cellular processes?

Altering gene activity to produce new proteins. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the steroid receptor-hormone complex once it enters the nucleus?

To act as a transcription factor, influencing gene expression. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why are steroid hormones not typically involved in mediating rapid reflex pathways?

The process of altering gene expression and protein synthesis takes a considerable amount of time. (C) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher observes that a hormone increases the production of a specific protein in a cell after a 60 minute lag. This observation suggests the hormone is likely a:

Steroid hormone that affects gene transcription. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes how activated genes respond to a steroid receptor-hormone complex?

Increase mRNA production that directs protein synthesis. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A scientist is studying a signaling pathway and notices that when a specific hormone binds to its receptor, the rate of transcription of a particular gene increases. Based on this information, which type of receptor is most likely involved?

A steroid hormone receptor. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism do intracellular steroid hormone receptors utilize to propagate a cellular response?

Regulating gene transcription by binding to DNA promoter regions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

If a drug is designed to interfere with the binding of a steroid hormone receptor to its hormone response element (HRE) on DNA, what cellular process would be directly affected?

The rate of protein synthesis regulated by the hormone. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In a simple endocrine reflex pathway, which component acts as the sensor?

The endocrine cell (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components is unique to complex endocrine reflexes compared to simple endocrine reflexes?

An integration center (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reflex involves both the nervous system and the endocrine system to regulate hormone release?

Neuroendocrine reflex (C) Signup and view all the answers

If a hormone is secreted continuously and fluctuates based on a 24-hour cycle, this secretion pattern is best described as following a:

Circadian rhythm (C) Signup and view all the answers

When blood glucose levels decrease, glucagon is released from alpha cells in the pancreas. If glucagon then acts on the liver to increase blood glucose, which components of a reflex pathway are represented in this scenario?

Stimulus, sensor, target, and response only (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of how the nervous system directly influences hormone release?

Regulation of insulin secretion via efferent neurons (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of endocrine reflexes, what is the role of the efferent neuron?

To carry signals from the integration center (e.g., brain) to the endocrine gland. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do neurohormones differ from traditional hormones in endocrine reflexes?

Neurohormones are produced by neurons and secreted into the bloodstream, while traditional hormones are produced by endocrine glands. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Goiter

Enlarged thyroid gland, often due to iodine deficiency.

Endocrinology

Study of hormones and endocrine glands.