Biology

Endocrine and Exocrine Glands

594 Questions

The endocrine and exocrine glands topic explores the human body's essential secreting structures, including the pituitary, thyroid, and salivary glands. Questions often focus on gland locations, their specific secretions, and crucial physiological functions. This subject is a core component of the general science syllabus across many highly competitive examinations.

Master endocrine glandsPituitary gland locationSalivary gland functionsThyroid and ductless glandsApocrine sweat glands

Endocrine and Exocrine Glands Questions

Multiple choice

The gland that contains the body's thermostat is _________.

  1. pineal

  2. pituitary

  3. thyroid

  4. hypothalamus
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The hypothalamus is the body's thermoregulatory center, often called the 'thermostat.' It maintains core body temperature around 37°C through mechanisms like sweating, shivering, and blood flow regulation. The pineal gland (A) regulates sleep-wake cycles via melatonin, pituitary (B) is the 'master gland' for hormones, and thyroid (C) controls metabolic rate.

Multiple choice

Which gland secretes the milk ejection hormone “oxytocin”?

  1. Pituitary gland

  2. Thyroid gland

  3. Parathyroid gland

  4. Adrenal
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

 Suckling by the baby stimulates the paraventricular nuclei and supraoptic nucleus in the hypothalamus, which signals to the posterior pituitary gland to produce oxytocin. Oxytocin stimulates contraction of the myoepithelial cells surrounding the alveoli, which already hold milk. The increased pressure causes milk to flow through the duct system and be released through the nipple.

Multiple choice

Match the following ||| |---|---| |Name of salivary glands|Location| |a. The parotid glands|1. They are located in the lower jaw. | |b. The sub-maxillary glands|2. They are located below the tongue. | |c. The sub-lingual glands|3. They are located in the cheek.|

  1. a - 1, b - 3, c - 2

  2. a - 3, b - 2, c - 1

  3. a - 3, b - 1, c - 2

  4. a - 2, b - 1, c - 3

  5. a - 1, b - 2, c - 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. The parotid glands are located in the cheek. The sub-maxillary glands are located in the lower jaw. The sub-lingual glands are located below the tongue.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an endocrine gland?

  1. Ovary

  2. Oviduct

  3. Uterus

  4. Urethra

  5. Vas deferens

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The ovary is an endocrine gland. There are two ovaries in a female body. Each ovary has the shape and a size almost that of an almond.

Multiple choice

Endocrine glands are those, which secrete their fluids

  1. into blood through ECF

  2. into definite ducts

  3. into blood or ducts

  4. only when they rupture
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Endocrine glands are ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream through extracellular fluid (ECF). This contrasts with exocrine glands, which secrete into ducts (e.g., sweat glands, salivary glands). The key distinction is that endocrine secretions enter blood circulation, not ducts.

Multiple choice

The largest endocrine gland is

  1. adrenal gland

  2. pituitary

  3. thyroid

  4. pineal
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The thyroid gland is the largest endocrine gland in the human body, weighing approximately 20-25 grams in adults. The pituitary is smaller (pea-sized), adrenal glands are also smaller, and the pineal gland is tiny compared to the thyroid.

Multiple choice

Which of the following glands influences the growth and functioning of thyroid gland?

  1. Parathyroid gland

  2. Adrenal gland

  3. Pituitary gland

  4. Pancreas
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Pituitary gland influences the growth and functioning of thyroid gland. About the size of a pea, the pituitary gland is found at the base of the brain, behind the bridge of your nose. The pituitary gland is very close to another part of the brain, called the hypothalamus.