Endocrine System (Human Anatomy and Physiology)

Total Questions: 52

1. In the human body, which of the following is ductless gland? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1993]

Correct Answer: (c) Endocrine glands
Solution:Endocrine or internally secreting glands are ductless glands since they lack excretory ducts. Endocrine glands secrete their products, hormones, directly into the blood rather than through a duct.

The major glands of the endocrine system include the pineal gland, pituitary gland, thymus, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland and adrenal glands etc.

2. Which is the smallest endocrine gland in the human body? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1996]

Correct Answer: (d) Pituitary
Solution:

Among the given options, pituitary gland is the smallest endocrine gland in the human body which sits in a bony hollow called the sella turcica. It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain.

Its weight is only about 0.5 gram and diameter is about 10 mm (like size of a pea). It is famous as 'Master gland' because most of its hormones control the activity levels of other endocrine glands.

It is also called hypophysis cerebri. Smallest endocrine gland in the human body is the pineal gland which is cone shaped and about 7.5 mm in size.

3. Pituitary gland is located in: [67th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2022]

Correct Answer: (d) brain
Solution:Pituitary gland is the smallest endocrine gland in the human body which sits in a bony hollow called the sella turcica. It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain. Its weight is only about 0.5 gram and diameter is about 10 mm (like size of a pea). It is famous as 'Master gland' because most of its hormones control the activity levels of other endocrine glands. It is also called hypophysis cerebri. Smallest endocrine gland in the human body is the pineal gland which is cone shaped and about 7.5 mm in size.

4. Which of the following glands in human body acts both as an endocrine gland as well as an exocrine gland? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

Correct Answer: (c) Pancreas
Solution:The pancreas is an endocrine as well as an exocrine gland i.e. mixed gland. As an endocrine gland, it functions mostly to regulate blood sugar levels, secreting the hormones insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide.

As a part of the digestive system, it functions as an exocrine gland secreting pancreatic juice into the duodenum through the pancreatic duct.

5. Corpus luteum is a mass of cells found in: [I.A.S. (Pre) 1997]

Correct Answer: (b) Ovary
Solution:The corpus luteum is a temporary endocrine structure in female ovaries. It is involved in the production of relatively high levels of progesterone and moderate levels of estradiol and inhibin A.

The corpus luteum develops from an ovarian follicle during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle or oestrous cycle following the release of a secondary oocyte from the follicle during ovulation. Its cell develops from the follicular cells surrounding the ovarian follicle.

6. Which one of the following cells secrete androgen hormones in human being? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

Correct Answer: (b) Cells of Leydig
Solution:In human beings, androgen hormones are secreted mainly by Leydig cells. Leydig cells, also known as interstitial cells of Leydig, are found adjacent to the seminiferous tubules in the testicle.

Androgen hormones regulate the development and maintenance of male characteristics. Major androgen hormone produced by Leydig cells in males is testosterone.

7. Match List-I (Endocrine glands) with List-II (Hormones secreted) and select the correct answer using the codes given below: [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2005, I.A.S. (Pre) 2000]

 below:

List-IList-II
(A) Gonads1. Insulin
(B) Pituitary2. Progesterone
(C) Pancreas3. Growth hormones
(D) Adrenal4. Cortisol

Code:

CodeABCD
(a)3241
(b)2341
(c)2314
(d)3214

 

Correct Answer: (c)
Solution:
  • Gonads:
    These glands produce sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone in females, and testosterone in males.
  • Pituitary:
    This gland is considered the "master gland" because it secretes several hormones including growth hormone.
  • Pancreas:
    This organ produces insulin, a hormone crucial for regulating blood sugar levels.
  • Adrenal:
    The adrenal glands produce cortisol, a stress hormone.

8. Which hormone controls the quantity of urine from kidney? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl.) (Mains) 2010]

Correct Answer: (d) ADH
Solution:

ADH (Antidiuretic) hormone is released from the pituitary gland which is responsible for controlling secretion of urine from the kidney. ADH is synthesized in the hypothalamus, a region in the brain, and then stored and released by the posterior pituitary gland.

ADH acts on the kidneys, specifically the collecting ducts, to increase water reabsorption. This means more water is drawn back into the bloodstream, reducing the amount of water excreted in urine.

As a result of increased water reabsorption, the kidneys produce a smaller volume of more concentrated urine. ADH helps maintain proper fluid balance and blood pressure by regulating water retention.

9. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the code given below the Lists: [U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2010]

 

List-I (Hormones)List-II (Secreting Gland)
(A) Progesterone1. Thyroid
(B) Testosterone2. Pancreas
(C) Thyroxine3. Ovaries (Females)
(D) Insulin4. Testes (Males)

Code:

CodeABCD
(a)3412
(b)4312
(c)3421
(d)1234

 

Correct Answer: (a)
Solution:Progesterone hormone is secreted by ovaries in females. Testosterone is secreted by testes of males. Thyroxine is secreted by the thyroid gland. Insulin is secreted by the pancreas.

10. Even though an animal is fed with carbohydrate rich diet, its blood sugar concentration tends to remain constant. This is on account of the fact that is the case of an animal- [I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]

Correct Answer: (b) Hormones of pancreas cause such a condition.
Solution:Even though an animal is fed with carbohydrate rich diet, its blood sugar concentration tends to remain constant. It is because the beta cells of pancreas secrete insulin hormone which reduces blood glucose concentration.

Diabetes is caused by the lack of insulin hormone in our body, while too much insulin leads to abnormally low blood glucose level or hypoglycemia.