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Endocrine System
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Q.1
WBCS Prelims 2023
Which of the following pairs comprises of the smallest and the largest endocrine glands of human respectively?
A. Pituitary-thyroid
B. Thyroid-pituitary
C. Pineal body-ovary
D. Pineal body-thyroid
Explanation
Why Correct: The pineal gland weighs about 0.1 grams, making it the smallest endocrine gland, while the thyroid gland weighs 20-25 grams, making it the largest endocrine gland in humans.
Distractor Analysis: The pituitary gland weighs 0.5-0.6 grams, larger than the pineal but smaller than the thyroid. The ovary is not an endocrine gland in the typical sense—it produces hormones but is primarily a reproductive organ, and its weight varies significantly (5-8 grams each).
Takeaway: The adrenal glands weigh 4-5 grams each, and the pancreas (endocrine portion) weighs about 1 gram—both are intermediate in size among endocrine glands.
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Q.2
WBCS Prelims 2023
One of the following terms includes the rest of the lot. Identify that single term:
A. Mineralocorticoids
B. Adrenaline
C. Suprarenal gland
D. Glucocorticoids
Explanation
Why Correct: The suprarenal gland (adrenal gland) is the anatomical organ that produces glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and adrenaline as its secretions.
Distractor Analysis: Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones like cortisol that regulate metabolism and immune response. Adrenaline (epinephrine) is a catecholamine hormone that mediates fight-or-flight responses. Mineralocorticoids are steroid hormones like aldosterone that regulate electrolyte and water balance.
Takeaway: The adrenal cortex produces glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, while the adrenal medulla produces adrenaline and noradrenaline.
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Q.3
WBCS Prelims 2016
Target tissue of insulin is :
A. Red Blood Cell
B. Kidney tissues
C. Small intestinal tissues
D. None of the above
Explanation
Why Correct: Insulin primarily targets liver, muscle, and adipose tissues to regulate glucose uptake and metabolism, not the specific tissues listed in options A, B, or C.
Distractor Analysis: Red blood cells lack insulin receptors and do not require insulin for glucose uptake. Kidney tissues are not primary insulin targets, though the kidney plays a role in insulin clearance. Small intestinal tissues are involved in nutrient absorption but are not major insulin-responsive tissues.
Takeaway: Insulin acts on cells with insulin receptors, mainly hepatocytes, myocytes, and adipocytes, promoting glucose uptake, glycogen synthesis, and inhibiting gluconeogenesis.
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Q.4
WBCS Prelims 2012
The disease caused due to lack of ADH
A. Diabetes insipidus
B. Diabetes mellitus
C. Grave’s disease
D. Cushing’s disease
Explanation
Why Correct: Deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH or vasopressin) from the posterior pituitary causes diabetes insipidus, characterized by excessive dilute urine and intense thirst.
Distractor Analysis: Diabetes mellitus results from insulin deficiency or resistance, causing high blood glucose. Grave’s disease is an autoimmune hyperthyroidism due to TSH receptor antibodies. Cushing’s disease involves pituitary adenoma secreting excess ACTH, leading to cortisol overproduction.
Takeaway: ADH acts on kidney collecting ducts to increase water reabsorption; its excess causes SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion).
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Q.5
WBCS Prelims 2005
The main function of norepinephrine is to
A. increase blood pressure
B. increase urine formation
C. increase cellular respiration
D. release epinephrine
Explanation
Why Correct: Norepinephrine constricts blood vessels and increases cardiac output, directly raising systemic blood pressure as part of sympathetic nervous system activation.
Distractor Analysis: Increase urine formation describes antidiuretic hormone regulation of kidney water reabsorption. Increase cellular respiration refers to thyroid hormone stimulation of metabolic rate. Release epinephrine characterizes chromaffin cell secretion in adrenal medulla, not norepinephrine's primary physiological action.
Takeaway: Norepinephrine functions as both neurotransmitter at sympathetic synapses and circulating hormone, while epinephrine primarily acts as a hormone released during stress responses.
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Q.6
WBCS Prelims 2002
Which one of the following is not an endocrine gland?
A. Adrenal gland (cortex)
B. Pituitary gland
C. Salivary gland
D. Thyroid gland
Explanation
Why Correct: Salivary glands secrete saliva through ducts into the oral cavity, making them exocrine glands, not endocrine glands which release hormones directly into the bloodstream.
Distractor Analysis: Adrenal cortex produces corticosteroids like cortisol, pituitary gland secretes hormones like growth hormone and TSH, and thyroid gland releases thyroxine and triiodothyronine—all are ductless endocrine glands.
Takeaway: Endocrine glands lack ducts and secrete hormones into blood, while exocrine glands like salivary, sweat, and digestive glands use ducts for secretion.
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Q.7
WBPSC Miscellaneous Prelims 2012
Ductless glands secrete
A. Blood
B. Tissue fluid
C. Enzymes
D. Hormones
Explanation
Why Correct: Ductless glands are endocrine glands that release hormones directly into the bloodstream, not through ducts.
Distractor Analysis: Blood is a fluid connective tissue, not a secretion. Tissue fluid is interstitial fluid derived from blood. Enzymes are typically secreted by exocrine glands through ducts (e.g., salivary glands).
Takeaway: Endocrine glands are ductless; exocrine glands have ducts. Hormones are chemical messengers. Examples: pituitary (endocrine), sweat glands (exocrine).
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Q.8
WBPSC Miscellaneous Prelims 2012
Insulin is secreted from
A. Kidney
B. Pituitary gland
C. Pancreas
D. Thyroid
Explanation
Why Correct: Insulin is a peptide hormone produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. It regulates blood glucose levels by promoting cellular uptake of glucose.
Distractor Analysis: Kidneys filter blood and produce urine but do not secrete insulin. Pituitary gland secretes growth hormone, ADH, and others, not insulin. Thyroid gland produces thyroxine and calcitonin, not insulin.
Takeaway: Insulin and glucagon (both from pancreas) are the primary hormones controlling blood sugar. The pancreas has both exocrine (digestive enzymes) and endocrine (islets) functions.
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Q.9
WBPSC Miscellaneous Prelims 2011
The disease caused in hypo action of thyroid gland
A. Myxedema
B. Grave’s disease
C. Exophthalmic goitre
D. Goitre
Explanation
Why Correct: Hypoaction (underactivity) of the thyroid gland leads to hypothyroidism. Myxedema is the severe adult form of hypothyroidism, characterized by swelling of the skin and tissues due to mucopolysaccharide accumulation.
Distractor Analysis: Grave's disease and exophthalmic goitre are autoimmune conditions causing hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), not hypoaction. Goitre is a general enlargement of the thyroid gland, which can occur in both hypo- and hyperthyroidism, but is not specific to hypoaction.
Takeaway: Hypothyroidism → Myxedema (adults) / Cretinism (children). Hyperthyroidism → Grave's disease / Exophthalmic goitre. Thyroid enlargement alone is goitre.
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