The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and organs that plays a vital role in maintaining balance and regulating various functions within the human body. Often referred to as the body’s chemical messenger system, the endocrine system ensures that our organs and tissues work together harmoniously, allowing us to adapt to changing conditions and maintain overall health.
Best 40 MCQs on Endocrine System practice now
Here are some key points to understand about the endocrine system:
- Glands and Hormones: The endocrine system consists of several glands, including the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pancreas, and more. These glands secrete hormones, which are chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to target cells or organs.
- Regulating Homeostasis: One of the primary functions of the endocrine system is to maintain homeostasis, which is the body’s internal balance. Hormones regulate processes such as metabolism, blood sugar levels, body temperature, and fluid balance to ensure the body functions optimally.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Hormone release is typically controlled by feedback mechanisms. When the body detects a deviation from its set point, it triggers the release of specific hormones to restore balance. For instance, when blood sugar levels rise after a meal, the pancreas releases insulin to facilitate glucose uptake by cells.
- Growth and Development: The endocrine system plays a crucial role in growth and development, especially during childhood and adolescence. The growth hormone, secreted by the pituitary gland, stimulates the growth of bones and tissues.
- Stress Response: The adrenal glands, situated on top of each kidney, release hormones like cortisol in response to stress. These hormones prepare the body for a “fight or flight” response, helping it cope with stressors by increasing energy levels and suppressing non-essential functions.
- Reproductive Health: The endocrine system is integral to reproductive health. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, while testosterone controls male reproductive functions.
- Thyroid Function: The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism, affecting the body’s energy production and temperature regulation.
- Endocrine Disorders: When the endocrine system malfunctions, it can lead to various disorders. Diabetes, for example, results from a deficiency of insulin production or insensitivity of cells to insulin.
- Treatment: Many endocrine disorders are manageable with medication, hormone replacement therapy, or lifestyle changes. Regular check-ups and proper management are essential for those with endocrine conditions.
Best 40 MCQs on Endocrine System
Q1. In the human body, which of the following is a ductless gland?
(a) Liver
(b) Sweat gland
(c) Endocrine glands
(d) Kidney
Q2. Which is the smallest endocrine gland in the human body ?
(a) Adrenal
(b) Thyroid
(c) Pancreas
(d) Pituitary
Q3. Which of the following glands in human body acts both as an endocrine gland as well as an exocrine gland?
(a) Adrenal gland
(b) Lacrimal gland
(c) Pancreas
(d) Thyroid
Q4. Corpus luteum is a mass of cells found in :
(a) Brain
(b) Ovary
(c) Pancreas
(d) Spleen
Q5. Which one of the following cells secrete androgen hormones in human beings?
(a) Sertoli cells
(b) Cells of Leydig
(c) Germinal cells
(d) Mucus cells
Q6. Which hormone controls the quantity of urine from the kidney?
(a) TSH
(b) ACTH
(c) FSH
(d) ADH
Q7. What would happen if the pancreas is defective :
(a) Digestion will not take properly
(b) Insulin and glucagon are not formed
(c) Blood formation will stop
(d) Blood pressure will increase
Q8. Which one of the following hormones stimulates pancreas for the production of digestive juice ?
(a) Rennin
(b) Trypsin
(c) Secretin
(d) Pepsin
Q9. Insulin is
(a) Fat
(b) Vitamin
(c) Carbohydrate
(d) Protein
Q10. Insulin hormone is a
(a) Glycolipid
(b) Fatty acid
(c) Peptide
(d) Sterol
Q11. Insulin is produced by :
(a) Islets of Langerhans
(b) Pituitary gland
(c) Thyroid gland
(d) Adrenal gland
Q12. The human hormone ‘insulin’ is produced in
(a) Liver
(b) Pancreas
(c) Kidney
(d) Pituitary
Q13. Which metal is present in insulin?
(a) Tin
(b) Copper
(c) Zinc
(d) Aluminium
Q14. Hugging and kissing of mother to her baby initiates, which of the following hormones for secretion?
(a) Insulin
(b) Noradrenaline
(c) Follicular hormone
(d) Oxytocin
Q15. Which one of the following is not a protein ?
(a) Keratin
(b) Fibroin
(c) Oxytocin
(d) Collagen
Q16. Which gland secretes the milk ejection hormone oxytocin?
(a) Pituitary gland
(b) Thyroid gland
(c) Parathyroid gland
(d) Adrenal gland
Q17. Iodised salt is useful because it
(a) Improves digestion
(b) Increases resistance to diseases
(c) Controls the thyroid gland
(d) All of the above
Q18. What is thyroxine?
(a) Vitamin
(b) Hormone
(c) Enzyme
(d) None of these
Q19. Iodine containing hormone is
(a) Thyroxine
(b) Insulin
(c) Adrenaline
(d) Testrogen
Q20. Secretion of which hormone increases heart beat and produces a feeling of excitement?
(a) Cortisone
(b) Insulin
(c) Adrenaline
(d) Testosterone
Q21. What is estrogen?
(a) Bone
(b) Hormone
(c) Enzyme
(d) Vitamin
Q22. By whom estrogen is produced (a) Egg
(b) Follicles
(c) Corpus luteum
(d) Uterus
Q23. The female sex hormone is:
(a) estrogen
(b) androgen
(c) insulin
(d) oxytocin
Q24. Which one of the following is a female sex-hormone?
(a) Androsterone
(b) Testosterone
(c) Estrone
(d) Thyroxine
Q25. In the human body, which one of the following hormones regulates blood calcium and phosphate ?
(a) Glucagon
(b) Growth hormone
(c) Parathyroid hormone
(d) Thyroxine
Q26. Pheromones are found in
(a) Insects
(b) Snakes
(c) Birds
(d) Bats
Q27. Which gland is often referred to as the “master gland” of the endocrine system?
a) Thyroid gland
b) Adrenal gland
c) Pituitary gland
d) Pancreas
Q28. Which hormone regulates the body’s sleep-wake cycle?
a) Insulin
b) Melatonin
c) Estrogen
d) Testosterone
Q29. Where is the thyroid gland located in the body?
a) In the brain
b) In the chest cavity
c) In the neck
d) In the abdomen
Q30. Which hormone is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels?
a) Thyroxine
b) Cortisol
c) Glucagon
d) Estrogen
Q31. What is the main function of the adrenal glands?
a) Regulating metabolism
b) Regulating calcium levels
c) Regulating blood pressure and stress response
d) Regulating body temperature
Q32. Which gland regulates calcium levels in the blood?
a) Thyroid gland
b) Adrenal gland
c) Parathyroid gland
d) Pancreas
Q33. Growth hormone (GH) is produced by which gland?
a) Pituitary gland
b) Adrenal gland
c) Thyroid gland
d) Pancreas
Q34. What is the hormone responsible for regulating the body’s metabolism?
a) Insulin
b) Thyroxine (T4)
c) Adrenaline
d) Testosterone
Q35.Which gland plays a crucial role in the regulation of circadian rhythms?
a) Pineal gland
b) Thymus gland
c) Spleen
d) Liver
Q36. Which hormone is involved in regulating water and electrolyte balance in the body?
a) Aldosterone
b) Estrogen
c) Testosterone
d) Thyroxine
Q37. What is the primary function of the thymus gland?
a) Regulating blood sugar levels
b) Producing growth hormone
c) Supporting the immune system
d) Regulating body temperature
Q38. Which gland is responsible for producing adrenaline and noradrenaline?
a) Pituitary gland
b) Thyroid gland
c) Adrenal gland
d) Pancreas
Q39. What hormone is responsible for stimulating uterine contractions during childbirth?
a) Progesterone
b) Oxytocin
c) Estrogen
d) Prolactin
Q40. Which hormone is produced by the testes in males?
a) Estrogen
b) Progesterone
c) Testosterone
d) Prolactin
What is the endocrine system?
The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and organs that produce and release hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones act as messengers, regulating various bodily functions and maintaining internal balance.
What are hormones, and what do they do?
Hormones are chemical substances produced by endocrine glands. They travel through the bloodstream to target cells or organs, where they control processes like metabolism, growth, mood, and reproduction.
How does the endocrine system differ from the nervous system?
While both systems are involved in communication within the body, the nervous system uses electrical signals and neurotransmitters for rapid, short-term responses (e.g., reflexes), whereas the endocrine system uses hormones for slower, long-term regulation (e.g., growth and development).
Which glands are part of the endocrine system?
The key glands in the endocrine system include the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries (in females), and testes (in males), among others. Each gland produces specific hormones with distinct functions.
What are some common endocrine disorders, and how are they treated?
Common endocrine disorders include diabetes, thyroid disorders, and adrenal problems. Treatment varies depending on the disorder but often involves hormone replacement therapy, medications, lifestyle changes (e.g., diet and exercise), and regular monitoring by healthcare professionals