Question 1

The hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla during emergencies ("fight or flight") is:

Accepted Answer

Adrenaline (epinephrine). Adrenaline (and noradrenaline) from the adrenal medulla prepares the body for emergencies.

Question 2

The pancreatic hormone that lowers blood glucose by promoting its uptake and storage is:

Accepted Answer

Insulin. Insulin (from β-cells of islets) lowers blood glucose; glucagon (α-cells) raises it.

Question 3

Diabetes mellitus results from the deficiency or inaction of ______, causing ______:

Accepted Answer

Insulin; high blood glucose (hyperglycemia) and glucose in urine. Insulin deficiency/resistance causes hyperglycemia and glucosuria — diabetes mellitus.

Question 4

The adrenal cortex hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism and has anti-inflammatory effects is:

Accepted Answer

Cortisol (a glucocorticoid). Glucocorticoids (cortisol) regulate carbohydrate/protein/fat metabolism and suppress inflammation/immune responses.

Question 5

Aldosterone (a mineralocorticoid from the adrenal cortex) mainly regulates:

Accepted Answer

Na⁺ and K⁺ balance and water (blood pressure) by acting on the kidney. Aldosterone promotes Na⁺/water reabsorption and K⁺ excretion in the kidney, controlling electrolyte and fluid balance.

Question 6

The islets of Langerhans have α-cells and β-cells that secrete, respectively:

Accepted Answer

Glucagon and insulin. α-cells secrete glucagon (raises glucose); β-cells secrete insulin (lowers glucose); together they regulate blood sugar.

Question 7

Each adrenal gland has two morphologically and functionally distinct regions, namely the:

Accepted Answer

Outer cortex and inner medulla. The adrenal gland comprises an outer cortex (steroid-secreting) and an inner medulla (catecholamine-secreting).

Question 8

The pancreatic hormone that raises blood glucose by stimulating glycogenolysis in the liver is:

Accepted Answer

Glucagon. Glucagon, from the α-cells of the islets of Langerhans, is a hyperglycemic hormone that promotes breakdown of hepatic glycogen (glycogenolysis), raising blood glucose.

Question 9

The adrenal medullary hormones are collectively called catecholamines because both are derived from the amino acid:

Accepted Answer

Tyrosine. Adrenaline and noradrenaline are catecholamines synthesised from the amino acid tyrosine.

Question 10

Aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid of the adrenal cortex, mainly promotes the reabsorption of ______ and excretion of ______ by the kidney tubules.

Accepted Answer

Na+ and water; K+ and phosphate. Aldosterone stimulates renal reabsorption of Na+ and water while promoting the excretion of K+ and phosphate, thereby maintaining electrolyte, body-fluid and blood-pressure balance.

Question 11

Match the islet cell type (Column I) with its secretion (Column II):
(i) α-cell  (ii) β-cell  (iii) δ-cell
(p) Insulin  (q) Somatostatin  (r) Glucagon

Accepted Answer

(i)-(r), (ii)-(p), (iii)-(q). α-cells secrete glucagon, β-cells secrete insulin, and δ-cells secrete somatostatin.

Question 12

Assertion (A): Prolonged untreated diabetes mellitus can lead to ketoacidosis. Reason (R): A lack of insulin action forces cells to catabolise fats for energy, producing ketone bodies. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. Without effective insulin, glucose cannot enter cells, so fats are mobilised and oxidised, generating ketone bodies that cause ketoacidosis — R correctly explains A.

Question 13

During a sudden fright the adrenal medulla is activated. Which set of responses correctly reflects the "emergency/fight-or-flight" action of its hormones?

Accepted Answer

Increased heart rate, dilated pupils, raised blood glucose and heightened alertness. Adrenaline and noradrenaline prepare the body for emergencies: they raise heart rate and blood pressure, dilate the pupils, mobilise glucose (glycogenolysis) and increase alertness.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about the adrenal cortex and its hormones is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

Glucocorticoids inhibit gluconeogenesis and reduce blood glucose. Glucocorticoids like cortisol actually stimulate gluconeogenesis and tend to raise blood glucose; the claim that they inhibit gluconeogenesis and lower glucose is incorrect.

Question 15

Which statement correctly contrasts insulin and glucagon in glucose homeostasis?

Accepted Answer

Insulin promotes cellular glucose uptake and glycogenesis, whereas glucagon promotes glycogenolysis and raises blood glucose. Insulin is hypoglycemic — it drives glucose into cells and its conversion to glycogen (glycogenesis); glucagon is hyperglycemic — it breaks glycogen down (glycogenolysis), raising blood glucose.

Question 16

Prolonged over-secretion of glucocorticoids (e.g. by an adrenal tumour) produces a disorder characterised by central obesity, a rounded "moon" face and raised blood glucose, known as:

Accepted Answer

Cushing's syndrome. Excess cortisol causes Cushing's syndrome (moon face, truncal obesity, hyperglycemia); its opposite, adrenocortical hypofunction, is Addison's disease.

Question 17

Select the incorrect match.

Accepted Answer

Adrenal cortex - Epinephrine and norepinephrine. Epinephrine and norepinephrine (catecholamines) are secreted by the adrenal medulla, not the adrenal cortex.

Question 18

Which of the following hormone increases the heart beat, the strength of heart contraction and the rate of respiration?

Accepted Answer

All of the above (adrenaline, nor-epinephrine and catecholamines). Adrenaline and nor-epinephrine, collectively catecholamines, increase heart rate, contraction strength and respiration.

Question 19

Catecholamines stimulate the breakdown of

Accepted Answer

All of the above (glycogen, lipid and protein). Catecholamines stimulate glycogenolysis, lipolysis and proteolysis, mobilising energy stores.

Question 20

Which of the following hormone plays a role in the growth of axial hair, pubic hair and facial hair during puberty?

Accepted Answer

Androgenic steroids. Androgenic steroids from the adrenal cortex influence growth of axial, pubic and facial hair during puberty.

Adrenal & Pancreas — NEET Biology MCQs with Solutions

Questions with solutions