Endocrine System - Competency-Based Question Bank (with Answers)

Section A: Case-Based Questions

Case Study 1: Child with Cretinism (stunted growth, mental retardation).

Which gland?
- Answer: Thyroid gland.
Name hormone and function.
- Answer: Thyroxine. It regulates the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), growth, and development.
Designing: Dietary inclusion.
- Answer: Iodised salt.
Analysis: Cretinism vs Dwarfism.
- Answer: Cretinism is due to Thyroid deficiency and involves mental retardation. Pituitary Dwarfism is due to Growth Hormone deficiency and the individual is mentally normal.
Adult hyposecretion condition.
- Answer: Myxoedema (Sluggishness, swelling of face/hands).

Case Study 2: Surge of energy when chased by a dog. 6. Identify hormone.

Answer: Adrenaline (or Epinephrine).

Why "Fight or Flight"?
- Answer: It prepares the body for sudden physical action to either face the threat or run away.
Creating: Flowchart.
- Answer: Adrenaline -> Heart (Rate up) -> Lungs (Breathing up) -> Liver (Glycogen to Glucose) -> Muscles (Blood supply up).
Critical Thinking: Why digestive system slows?
- Answer: To divert blood flow and energy away from non-essential tasks to the heart and skeletal muscles.
Which gland and location?
- Answer: Adrenal glands. Located as "caps" on top of each kidney.

Section B: Assertion-Reasoning Questions

Directions: (a) Both A/R true, R explains A; (b) Both true, R doesn't explain A; (c) A true, R false; (d) A false, R true.

Assertion (A): Pancreas is heterocrine. Reason (R): It has both exocrine and endocrine parts.
- Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation.
Assertion (A): Insulin lowers blood sugar. Reason (R): It promotes Glycogenesis.
- Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation.
Assertion (A): Pituitary is Master Gland. Reason (R): It controls other glands.
- Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation.
Assertion (A): Simple Goitre caused by Iron deficiency. Reason (R): Iron is essential for Thyroxine.
- Answer: (d) A is false but R is true (in structure, but factually both are false as Iodine is needed). Correct: (d) A is false. (Iodine is needed).
Assertion (A): Diabetes Mellitus has Glycosuria. Reason (R): Caused by hyposecretion of Insulin.
- Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation.

Section C: Creating and Designing (Application & Analysis)

Designing: Negative Feedback diagram.
- Answer: Low Thyroxine -> Hypothalamus releases TRH -> Pituitary releases TSH -> Thyroid releases Thyroxine -> High Thyroxine inhibits TRH/TSH.
Creating: Insulin Profile Card.
- Answer: Source: Beta cells. Target: Liver/Muscles. Function: Lowers sugar. Deficiency: Diabetes Mellitus.
Analysis: Exophthalmic vs Simple Goitre.
- Answer: Exophthalmic: Hyperthyroidism, protruding eyes, weight loss. Simple: Hypothyroidism, iodine deficiency, swelling in neck.
Designing: Anterior Pituitary table.
- Answer: [GH: Growth. TSH: Stimulates Thyroid. ACTH: Stimulates Adrenal cortex. FSH/LH: Gonad function].
Visualisation: Gland locations.
- Answer: [Thyroid: Neck. Pancreas: Below stomach. Adrenal: Above kidneys].
Application: Thirst and hunger in diabetes.
- Answer: Sugar in urine pulls water (thirst). Cells are starving for glucose because it can't enter without insulin (hunger).
Creating: Feedback failure scenario.
- Answer: Thyroid would keep growing (forming a huge goitre) and metabolism would skyrocket to dangerous levels.
Analysis: Insulin vs Glucagon.
- Answer: Insulin lowers blood sugar (store as glycogen). Glucagon raises blood sugar (break down glycogen).
Designing: IDD poster.
- Answer: [Visuals of Goitre and Cretinism, promoting Iodised salt].
Creating: Cortisone explanation.
- Answer: It mimics cortisol, which suppresses the immune system and reduces inflammation in joints/tissues.

Section D: Competency & Critical Thinking

Tropic Hormones.
- Answer: Hormones that stimulate other endocrine glands to secrete their hormones (e.g., TSH, ACTH).
Scenario: Giant vs Dwarf.
- Answer: Giant: Hypersecretion of GH in childhood. Dwarf: Hyposecretion of GH in childhood.
Critical Thinking: Adrenal Medulla and Sympathetic system.
- Answer: Both work together to produce the stress response. The Medulla is essentially a specialized part of the sympathetic system.
Application: Acromegaly.
- Answer: Hypersecretion of GH in adults, leading to thickened bones in hands, feet, and face.
Diabetes Mellitus vs Insipidus.
- Answer: Mellitus: Sugar problem (Insulin). Insipidus: Water problem (ADH).
Diagram Based: Islets of Langerhans.
- Answer: Alpha: Glucagon. Beta: Insulin.
Oxytocin and Prolactin.
- Answer: Oxytocin: Uterine contraction and milk ejection. Prolactin: Milk production.
Analysis: Thymus gland changes.
- Answer: It is involved in T-lymphocyte maturation for immunity; its shrinkage contributes to weaker immunity in the elderly.
Competency: Adrenaline on liver.
- Answer: Stimulates Glycogenolysis (Glycogen to Glucose) to provide immediate energy.
Case: Graves' disease.
- Answer: Hyperthyroidism.
Creating: Cortisol hypothesis.
- Answer: Chronic high cortisol suppresses the immune system and increases blood pressure/sugar.
Designing: Endocrine vs Exocrine visual.
- Answer: Endocrine: No ducts, secretes to blood. Exocrine: Has ducts, secretes to surface/organ.
Application: Birth control pills.
- Answer: Contain estrogen/progesterone which inhibit FSH/LH, preventing ovulation.
Critical Thinking: Why insulin injection?
- Answer: Insulin is a protein; if taken as a pill, it would be digested by stomach enzymes and become inactive.
Analysis: Chemical Messengers.
- Answer: Hormones produced in small quantities, transported by blood, acting on distant target organs.

Section E: Advanced Competency

Scenario: Ovary removal.
- Answer: Stops the production of estrogen and progesterone, ending the menstrual cycle (Artificial Menopause).
Designing: Concept map.
- Answer: Hypothalamus (Releasing factors) -> Pituitary (Tropic hormones) -> Glands (Final hormones).
Application: Addison's Disease.
- Answer: Symptoms: Skin pigmentation, low blood pressure, weight loss.
Creating: Who am I?
- Answer: Adrenaline.
Case Study: High calcium.
- Answer: Parathyroid gland (oversecretion of Parathormone).
Gastrin and Secretin.
- Answer: Local hormones in the gut that regulate digestive secretions.
Critical Thinking: "Dual Organ".
- Answer: Refers to the Pancreas having both digestive (exocrine) and hormonal (endocrine) functions.
Analysis: Adrenaline vs Noradrenaline.
- Answer: Both similar, but Noradrenaline acts mainly on blood vessels to maintain blood pressure.
Designing: Glucose graph.
- Answer: Normal: Spike then return to normal within 2h. Diabetic: Higher spike and remains high for long.
Creating: "Fatigue-cure" hormone.
- Answer: Would likely act by increasing mitochondrial efficiency or reducing lactic acid buildup.

Section A: Case-Based Questions

Case Study 1: Child with Cretinism (stunted growth, mental retardation).

Which gland?

Answer: Thyroid gland.

Name hormone and function.

Answer: Thyroxine. It regulates the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), growth, and development.

Designing: Dietary inclusion.

Answer: Iodised salt.

Analysis: Cretinism vs Dwarfism.

Answer: Cretinism is due to Thyroid deficiency and involves mental retardation. Pituitary Dwarfism is due to Growth Hormone deficiency and the individual is mentally normal.

Adult hyposecretion condition.

Answer: Myxoedema (Sluggishness, swelling of face/hands).

Case Study 2: Surge of energy when chased by a dog. 6. Identify hormone.

Answer: Adrenaline (or Epinephrine).

Why "Fight or Flight"?

Answer: It prepares the body for sudden physical action to either face the threat or run away.

Creating: Flowchart.

Answer: Adrenaline -> Heart (Rate up) -> Lungs (Breathing up) -> Liver (Glycogen to Glucose) -> Muscles (Blood supply up).

Critical Thinking: Why digestive system slows?

Answer: To divert blood flow and energy away from non-essential tasks to the heart and skeletal muscles.

Which gland and location?

Answer: Adrenal glands. Located as "caps" on top of each kidney.

Section B: Assertion-Reasoning Questions

Directions: (a) Both A/R true, R explains A; (b) Both true, R doesn't explain A; (c) A true, R false; (d) A false, R true.

Assertion (A): Pancreas is heterocrine. Reason (R): It has both exocrine and endocrine parts.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation.

Assertion (A): Insulin lowers blood sugar. Reason (R): It promotes Glycogenesis.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation.

Assertion (A): Pituitary is Master Gland. Reason (R): It controls other glands.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation.

Assertion (A): Simple Goitre caused by Iron deficiency. Reason (R): Iron is essential for Thyroxine.

Answer: (d) A is false but R is true (in structure, but factually both are false as Iodine is needed). Correct: (d) A is false. (Iodine is needed).

Assertion (A): Diabetes Mellitus has Glycosuria. Reason (R): Caused by hyposecretion of Insulin.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation.

Section C: Creating and Designing (Application & Analysis)

Designing: Negative Feedback diagram.

Answer: Low Thyroxine -> Hypothalamus releases TRH -> Pituitary releases TSH -> Thyroid releases Thyroxine -> High Thyroxine inhibits TRH/TSH.

Creating: Insulin Profile Card.

Answer: Source: Beta cells. Target: Liver/Muscles. Function: Lowers sugar. Deficiency: Diabetes Mellitus.

Analysis: Exophthalmic vs Simple Goitre.

Answer: Exophthalmic: Hyperthyroidism, protruding eyes, weight loss. Simple: Hypothyroidism, iodine deficiency, swelling in neck.

Designing: Anterior Pituitary table.

Answer: [GH: Growth. TSH: Stimulates Thyroid. ACTH: Stimulates Adrenal cortex. FSH/LH: Gonad function].

Visualisation: Gland locations.

Answer: [Thyroid: Neck. Pancreas: Below stomach. Adrenal: Above kidneys].

Application: Thirst and hunger in diabetes.

Answer: Sugar in urine pulls water (thirst). Cells are starving for glucose because it can't enter without insulin (hunger).

Creating: Feedback failure scenario.

Answer: Thyroid would keep growing (forming a huge goitre) and metabolism would skyrocket to dangerous levels.

Analysis: Insulin vs Glucagon.

Answer: Insulin lowers blood sugar (store as glycogen). Glucagon raises blood sugar (break down glycogen).

Designing: IDD poster.

Answer: [Visuals of Goitre and Cretinism, promoting Iodised salt].

Creating: Cortisone explanation.

Answer: It mimics cortisol, which suppresses the immune system and reduces inflammation in joints/tissues.

Section D: Competency & Critical Thinking

Tropic Hormones.

Answer: Hormones that stimulate other endocrine glands to secrete their hormones (e.g., TSH, ACTH).

Scenario: Giant vs Dwarf.

Answer: Giant: Hypersecretion of GH in childhood. Dwarf: Hyposecretion of GH in childhood.

Critical Thinking: Adrenal Medulla and Sympathetic system.

Answer: Both work together to produce the stress response. The Medulla is essentially a specialized part of the sympathetic system.

Application: Acromegaly.

Answer: Hypersecretion of GH in adults, leading to thickened bones in hands, feet, and face.

Diabetes Mellitus vs Insipidus.

Answer: Mellitus: Sugar problem (Insulin). Insipidus: Water problem (ADH).

Diagram Based: Islets of Langerhans.

Answer: Alpha: Glucagon. Beta: Insulin.

Oxytocin and Prolactin.

Answer: Oxytocin: Uterine contraction and milk ejection. Prolactin: Milk production.

Analysis: Thymus gland changes.

Answer: It is involved in T-lymphocyte maturation for immunity; its shrinkage contributes to weaker immunity in the elderly.

Competency: Adrenaline on liver.

Answer: Stimulates Glycogenolysis (Glycogen to Glucose) to provide immediate energy.

Case: Graves' disease.

Answer: Hyperthyroidism.

Creating: Cortisol hypothesis.

Answer: Chronic high cortisol suppresses the immune system and increases blood pressure/sugar.

Designing: Endocrine vs Exocrine visual.

Answer: Endocrine: No ducts, secretes to blood. Exocrine: Has ducts, secretes to surface/organ.

Application: Birth control pills.

Answer: Contain estrogen/progesterone which inhibit FSH/LH, preventing ovulation.

Critical Thinking: Why insulin injection?

Answer: Insulin is a protein; if taken as a pill, it would be digested by stomach enzymes and become inactive.

Analysis: Chemical Messengers.

Answer: Hormones produced in small quantities, transported by blood, acting on distant target organs.

Section E: Advanced Competency

Scenario: Ovary removal.

Answer: Stops the production of estrogen and progesterone, ending the menstrual cycle (Artificial Menopause).

Designing: Concept map.

Answer: Hypothalamus (Releasing factors) -> Pituitary (Tropic hormones) -> Glands (Final hormones).

Application: Addison's Disease.

Answer: Symptoms: Skin pigmentation, low blood pressure, weight loss.

Creating: Who am I?

Answer: Adrenaline.

Case Study: High calcium.

Answer: Parathyroid gland (oversecretion of Parathormone).

Gastrin and Secretin.

Answer: Local hormones in the gut that regulate digestive secretions.

Critical Thinking: "Dual Organ".

Answer: Refers to the Pancreas having both digestive (exocrine) and hormonal (endocrine) functions.

Analysis: Adrenaline vs Noradrenaline.

Answer: Both similar, but Noradrenaline acts mainly on blood vessels to maintain blood pressure.

Designing: Glucose graph.

Answer: Normal: Spike then return to normal within 2h. Diabetic: Higher spike and remains high for long.

Creating: "Fatigue-cure" hormone.

Answer: Would likely act by increasing mitochondrial efficiency or reducing lactic acid buildup.

Endocrine System

Endocrine System - Competency-Based Question Bank (with Answers)

Section A: Case-Based Questions

Section B: Assertion-Reasoning Questions

Section C: Creating and Designing (Application & Analysis)

Section D: Competency & Critical Thinking

Section E: Advanced Competency

On this page

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Endocrine System

Endocrine System - Competency-Based Question Bank (with Answers)

Section A: Case-Based Questions

Section B: Assertion-Reasoning Questions

Section C: Creating and Designing (Application & Analysis)

Section D: Competency & Critical Thinking

Section E: Advanced Competency

On this page