Tag: endocrine system and chemical co-ordination

Questions Related to endocrine system and chemical co-ordination

Parathormone induces 

  1. Increase in blood sugar

  2. Increase in serum calcium

  3. Decrease in serum calcium

  4. Decrease in blood sugar level.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The parathyroid glands secrete a peptide hormone called parathyroid hormone or parathormone (PTH). The release of parathromone is regulated by the circulating levels of calcium ($Ca^{2+}$) ions in the blood. PTH plays an important role in calcium balance of the body. It maintains the calcium balance between the blood and other tissues. When the calcium level in the blood decreases, parathyroid hormone is released in order to increase the calcium level in the blood. PTH acts on bones and other skeletal structure and mobilizes the calcium ($Ca^{2+}$) from the bones into the blood. This is called bone resorption/dissolution/demineralization. The parathromone also increases the reabsorption of calcium by the renal tubules and absorption of calcium from the digested food. Hence, parathormone induces increase in serum calcium.

Which of the following is wrong? 

  1. Sella turcica is a bony cavity where pituitary gland is located.

  2. Parathyroid hormone decreases the Ca$^{2+}$ levels in blood.

  3. Thymosins play a major role in T-cell differentiation.

  4. Insulin stimulates glycogenesis.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:
A. The pituitary gland is located in a bony cavity called Sella tursica and is attached to the hypothalamus by a stalk.
B. The parathyroid glands secrete a peptide hormone called parathyroid hormone (PTH). The secretion of PTH is regulated by the circulating levels of calcium ions. PTH increases the calcium levels in the blood.
C. Thymosins are secreted by thymus gland. These play a major role in the differentiation of T-lymphocytes, which provide cell-mediated immunity.
D. Insulin stimulates conversion of glucose to glycogen (glycogenesis).
So, the correct answer is 'parathyroid hormone decreases the calcium levels in blood'.

Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates:

  1. calcium balance between blood and tissues

  2. glucose balance between blood and tissues

  3. regulates sleep

  4. regulates temperature


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The parathyroid gland secretes a peptide hormone called parathyroid hormone (PTH). The secretion of PTH is regulated by the circulating levels of calcium ions. PTH increases the calcium levels in the blood. PTH also stimulates reabsorption of calcium by the renal tubules and increase calcium absorption from the digested food.

So the correct answer is calcium balance between blood and tissue.

Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given.
Hypothyroidism in children results in:

  1. dwarfism

  2. acromegaly

  3. high blood pressure

  4. high body temperature


Correct Option: A
Explanation:
GH or STH (Growth or Somatotropin Hormone) stimulates body growth, protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism. Hyposecretion of this hormone causes dwarfism. Hypersecretion of this hormone during the period of skeletal growth causes gigantism characterized by excessive growth of bones, with the enlargement of internal organs as well. Hypersecretion in adulthood causes acromegaly. Here the bones become abnormally thick due to ossification of periosteum and thickening of soft tissues as well. 
So the correct answer is dwarfism.

Who discovered the parathyroid glands while dissecting a rhinoceros?

  1. Sir Richard Owen

  2. Galen

  3. Andreas Vesalius

  4. Anders Olaf Retzius


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The parathyroid gland was first discovered in 1852 during the autopsy of an Indian rhinoceros by Sir Richard Owen.

So, the correct option is 'Sir Richard Owen'.

A person is having problem with calcium and phosphorus metabolism in his body. Which one of the following glands may not be functioning properly?

  1. Parotid

  2. Pancreas

  3. Adrenal cortex

  4. Parathyroid


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Parathyroid glands located behind the thyroid gland, produce a hormone called parathormone. This hormone maintains calcium and phosphorus balance in the body. Thus, if a person is having problem with calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body, this means, his parathyroid glands are not functioning properly.

Which of the following is the target of parathyroid hormone?

  1. Kidneys

  2. Bones

  3. Small intestine

  4. Pancreas

  5. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Parathyroid hormone regulates the level of calcium in the blood. It does this through its actions on the kidneys, bones and intestine. When  the blood calcium level is too low, the parathyroid glands release more parathyroid hormone (PTH). This causes the bones to release more calcium into the blood, increase the absorption of more calcium through food and reduces the amount of calcium released by the kidneys into the urine. 

Goitre can occur as a consequence of all the following except

  1. Iodine deficiency

  2. Pituitary adenoma

  3. Grave's disease

  4. Excessive intake of exogenous thyroxine


Correct Option: D
Explanation:
A goitre is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is controlled by the pituitary gland. The pituitary prompts the thyroid to make its hormones including thyroxine ($T _4$) and triiodothyronine ($T _3$) by releasing thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). If a person's diet is low in iodine, the thyroid gland enlarges as it attempts to comply with the pituitary's demands. Another common cause is Graves disease, in which the immune system produces antibodies that act like TSH and stimulate the thyroid gland uncontrollably. The gland responds by producing an excessive amount of hormones. Thyrotropin (TSH) secreting pituitary adenomas are a rare cause of hyperthyroidism. Therefore, the correct answer is option D.

In order to determine the effect of each substance on normal body variables, they were injected intravenously. The results are shown in table below. Assume that enough time was allowed between injections so that the substances do not interfere with one another. Based on the information in table above, which of the following is most likely substance B?

Variable Baseline values Values after injecting substance A    Values after injecting substance B    Values after injecting substance C   Values after injecting substance D
Serum ${ Ca }^{ ++ }$ 2.3mmol/L 2.3mmol/L 2.3mmol/L 3.0mmol/L 2.3mmol/L
Serum ${ Na }^{ + }$ 135mmol/L 135mmol/L 135mmol/L 136mmol/L 135mmol/L
Serum glucose 5.6mmol/L 3.3mmol/L 5.6mmol/L 7.4mmol/L 5.6mmol/L

Based on the information in table above, which of the following is most likely substance A?

  1. Glucagon

  2. Aldosterone

  3. Calcitonin

  4. Parathyroid hormone

  5. Insulin


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

Homeostasis is the process wherein normal body variables are actively regulated inside a defined environment to remain very near to constant. The regulation of  concentration of sodium ($Na^+$) and Calcium ($Ca^{++}$) ions in the blood as well as  glucose levels in blood plasma are examples of Homeostasis.
In the human body, the concentration of blood sugar levels is regulated by the  beta cells of the pancreatic islets by secreting insulin into the blood and inhibits the secretion of glucagon into the blood. The table given in the question shows the effect of a substance on the normal body variables after an intravenous injection of the same. According to the given data,  the  injection of substance A tends to decrease the concentration of Serum glucose below the baseline value. Hence, the substance that was injected is identified as insulin.

In order to determine the effect of each substance on normal body variables, they were injected intravenously. The results are shown in the table below. Assume that enough time was allowed between injections so that the substances do not interfere with one another.

Variable Baseline values Values after injecting substance A Values after injecting substance B Values after injecting substance C Values after injecting substance D
Serum ${ Ca }^{ ++ }$ 2.3mmol/L 2.3mmol/L 3.0mmoL/L 2.3mmol/L 2.3mmol/L
Serum ${ Na }^{ + }$ 135mmol/L 135mmol/L 136mmol/L 135mmol/L 135mmol/L
Serum glucose 5.6mmol/L 3.3mmol/L 5.6mmol/L 7.4mmol/L 5.6mmol/L

Based on the information in Table above, which of the following is most likely substance B?

  1. Calcitonin

  2. Insulin

  3. Parathyroid hormone

  4. Glucagon

  5. Aldosterone


Correct Option: C
Explanation:
Homeostasis is the process wherein  normal body variables are actively regulated inside a defined environment to remain very near to constant. The regulation of the concentration of sodium (Na+) and calcium ($Ca^{++}$) ions in the blood, as well as glucose levels in blood plasma, are examples of Homeostasis. Each of the variables is controlled by a homeostat or regulator which are energy consuming physiological mechanisms of the body. The table given in the question shows the effect of a substance on the normal body variables after an intravenous injection of the same. According to the given data, since injection of substance B tends to increase the concentration of $Ca^{++}$, it is a parathyroid hormone. 
The plasma ionized calcium ($Ca^{++}$) concentration is very tightly controlled by a pair of homeostats- the parathyroid glands and the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland. Parathyroid hormone is secreted by the parathyroid glands in the case of a fall in the $Ca^{++}$ levels.