Hormones and Endocrine Glands MCQs for GPAT and NIPER

Practice Hormones and Endocrine Glands MCQs for GPAT and NIPER, AIIMS Pharmacist, Railway, SSC, ESIC, and State Pharmacist examinations. Pharmacist MCQs on hormones, endocrine glands, and hormone action with answers.

Dr. Alok Singh

7/8/202610 min read

MCQs on Hormones and Endocrine Glands. Classification of hormones and mechanism of hormone action. Structure and functions of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, adrenal gland, pancreas, pineal gland and thymus.

Quick Revision Notes:

1. Hormones:

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands and released directly into the bloodstream to regulate the functions of distant target organs.

Remember:

Hormone = Chemical Messenger + Blood Transport + Specific Target Organ

2. Classification of Hormones

A. Peptide and Protein Hormones

These hormones are made of amino acids and are water-soluble.

Examples:

Insulin
Glucagon
Growth hormone (GH)
Prolactin
ACTH
TSH
FSH
LH
Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Important Features:

Stored in secretory granules.
Cannot cross the cell membrane.
Act through membrane receptors.
Usually use second messengers such as cAMP or IP3-DAG.

Memory Trick:

"Protein hormones stay Outside the cell."

B. Steroid Hormones

These hormones are synthesized from cholesterol and are lipid-soluble.

Examples:

Cortisol
Aldosterone
Testosterone
Estrogen
Progesterone

Important Features:

Not stored in large quantities.
Diffuse through cell membrane.
Bind intracellular or nuclear receptors.
Directly influence gene transcription.

Memory Trick:

"Steroids Slip through the membrane."

C. Amino Acid-Derived Hormones

These hormones are synthesized from amino acids, mainly tyrosine.

Examples:

Thyroxine (T4)
Triiodothyronine (T3)
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine
Dopamine
Melatonin

Memory Trick:

"Tyrosine gives rise to Thyroid hormones and Catecholamines."

3. Mechanism of Hormone Action

1. Membrane Receptor Mechanism

Used by water-soluble hormones.

Sequence:

Hormone → Receptor → Second Messenger → Cellular Response

Common Second Messengers:

cAMP
cGMP
IP3-DAG
Calcium ions

Examples:

Glucagon → cAMP
TSH → cAMP
Oxytocin → IP3-DAG

2. Intracellular Receptor Mechanism

Used by lipid-soluble hormones.

Sequence:

Hormone enters cell → Binds receptor → Alters gene transcription → Protein synthesis

Examples:

Cortisol
Aldosterone
Thyroid hormones

Memory Trick:

"Fat-soluble hormones go Inside the cell."

3. Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Mechanism

The most important example is insulin.

Sequence:

Insulin binds receptor → Tyrosine kinase activation → Cellular effects

Memory Trick:

"Insulin has its own kinase machine."

4. Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland is known as the Master Gland because it controls several other endocrine glands.

Anterior Pituitary Hormones:

Growth Hormone (GH)
Prolactin (PRL)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Mnemonic:

"FLAT PiG"

FSH
LH
ACTH
TSH
Prolactin
Growth Hormone

Posterior Pituitary Hormones:

Oxytocin
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Functions:

GH → Growth
TSH → Stimulates thyroid gland
ACTH → Stimulates adrenal cortex
FSH and LH → Reproductive functions
Prolactin → Milk production
ADH → Water conservation
Oxytocin → Uterine contraction and milk ejection

5. Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland secretes:

Thyroxine (T4)
Triiodothyronine (T3)
Calcitonin

Functions:

Regulates basal metabolic rate.
Controls growth and development.
Increases oxygen consumption.
Calcitonin lowers blood calcium levels.

Remember:

T3 and T4 increase metabolism, Calcitonin decreases calcium.

6. Parathyroid Gland

The parathyroid gland secretes:

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Functions:

Increases blood calcium concentration.
Stimulates bone resorption.
Increases calcium reabsorption in kidneys.
Activates vitamin D.

Memory Trick:

"PTH Pulls calcium into the blood."

7. Adrenal Gland

The adrenal gland consists of cortex and medulla.

Adrenal Cortex

Zona Glomerulosa

Produces:

Aldosterone

Function:

Sodium retention and potassium excretion.

Zona Fasciculata

Produces:

Cortisol

Function:

Stress response and glucose metabolism.

Zona Reticularis

Produces:

Androgens

Function:

Secondary sexual characteristics.

Glomerulosa → Salt (Aldosterone)
Fasciculata → Sugar (Cortisol)
Reticularis → Sex (Androgens)

Adrenal Medulla

Produces:

Epinephrine
Norepinephrine

Functions:

Increases heart rate.
Raises blood glucose.
Prepares the body for fight-or-flight response.

8. Pancreas

The endocrine pancreas contains Islets of Langerhans.

Cell Type Hormone
Alpha cells Glucagon
Beta cells Insulin
Delta cells Somatostatin
PP cells Pancreatic polypeptide

Alpha → Glucagon
Beta → Insulin
Delta → Somatostatin
PP → Pancreatic polypeptide

Functions:

Insulin lowers blood glucose.
Glucagon raises blood glucose.
Somatostatin inhibits several hormones.

9. Pineal Gland

The pineal gland secretes:

Melatonin

Functions:

Regulates sleep-wake cycle.
Controls circadian rhythm.

Memory Trick:

"Melatonin = Moon hormone."

10. Thymus Gland

The thymus gland secretes:

Thymosin

Functions:

Maturation of T-lymphocytes.
Development of immunity in childhood.

Important Fact:

The thymus is large in children and gradually shrinks after puberty.

Memory Trick:

"T for Thymus and T for T-cells."

One-Line Revision Table

Gland Major Hormone Main Function
Pituitary GH, TSH, ACTH Controls other glands
Thyroid T3, T4 Increases metabolism
Parathyroid PTH Raises blood calcium
Adrenal Cortex Cortisol, Aldosterone Stress and electrolyte balance
Adrenal Medulla Epinephrine Fight-or-flight response
Pancreas Insulin, Glucagon Blood glucose regulation
Pineal Melatonin Sleep regulation
Thymus Thymosin T-cell maturation

Master = Pituitary
Thyroid = Thyroid gland
Protects = Parathyroid gland
Against = Adrenal gland
Panicked = Pancreas
Midnight = Pineal gland
Threats = Thymus gland

1. Which of the following hormones acts through intracellular receptors?

A. Insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Thyroxine
D. Growth hormone

Answer: C. Thyroxine

Explanation: Thyroid hormones are lipid-soluble and diffuse through the cell membrane to bind intracellular nuclear receptors, thereby regulating gene transcription.

2. Which hormone acts through the cAMP second messenger system?

A. Insulin
B. Growth hormone
C. Glucagon
D. Cortisol

Answer: C. Glucagon

Explanation: Glucagon binds to G-protein coupled receptors and activates adenylate cyclase, increasing intracellular cAMP levels.

3. Steroid hormones are synthesized mainly from:

A. Amino acids
B. Cholesterol
C. Fatty acids
D. Glycogen

Answer: B. Cholesterol

Explanation: All steroid hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, are derived from cholesterol.

4. Which hormone belongs to the peptide hormone class?

A. Cortisol
B. Aldosterone
C. Insulin
D. Thyroxine

Answer: C. Insulin

Explanation: Insulin is a peptide hormone composed of amino acids and acts via membrane receptors.

5. Catecholamines are synthesized from:

A. Tyrosine
B. Tryptophan
C. Cholesterol
D. Glycine

Answer: A. Tyrosine

Explanation: Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine are catecholamines derived from tyrosine.

6. Which pituitary hormone stimulates milk production?

A. Oxytocin
B. Prolactin
C. ACTH
D. FSH

Answer: B. Prolactin

Explanation: Prolactin secreted by the anterior pituitary stimulates milk synthesis in mammary glands.

7. Oxytocin is secreted from:

A. Anterior pituitary
B. Posterior pituitary
C. Adrenal cortex
D. Pineal gland

Answer: B. Posterior pituitary

Explanation: Oxytocin is synthesized in the hypothalamus and stored and released from the posterior pituitary.

8. Which hormone stimulates the adrenal cortex?

A. TSH
B. ACTH
C. FSH
D. LH

Answer: B. ACTH

Explanation: Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulates secretion of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex.

9. The hormone responsible for linear growth in children is:

A. TSH
B. Prolactin
C. Growth hormone
D. ACTH

Answer: C. Growth hormone

Explanation: Growth hormone promotes bone and tissue growth primarily through insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).

10. Deficiency of growth hormone in childhood causes:

A. Acromegaly
B. Gigantism
C. Dwarfism
D. Cushing syndrome

Answer: C. Dwarfism

Explanation: Growth hormone deficiency during childhood leads to stunted growth and pituitary dwarfism.

11. Which cells of the thyroid gland secrete calcitonin?

A. Follicular cells
B. Parafollicular cells
C. Chief cells
D. Oxyphil cells

Answer: B. Parafollicular cells

Explanation: C-cells or parafollicular cells produce calcitonin, which lowers blood calcium levels.

12. The major hormone secreted by the thyroid gland is:

A. Calcitonin
B. Thyroxine
C. Parathormone
D. Aldosterone

Answer: B. Thyroxine

Explanation: Thyroxine (T4) is the principal hormone secreted by the thyroid gland and regulates metabolism.

13. Which hormone increases blood calcium concentration?

A. Calcitonin
B. Insulin
C. Parathyroid hormone
D. Melatonin

Answer: C. Parathyroid hormone

Explanation: Parathyroid hormone increases serum calcium by acting on bones, kidneys, and intestines.

14. The functional cells of the parathyroid gland are:

A. Follicular cells
B. Chief cells
C. Beta cells
D. Chromaffin cells

Answer: B. Chief cells

Explanation: Chief cells synthesize and secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH).

15. Which layer of the adrenal cortex secretes aldosterone?

A. Zona fasciculata
B. Zona reticularis
C. Zona glomerulosa
D. Adrenal medulla

Answer: C. Zona glomerulosa

Explanation: Zona glomerulosa is the outermost layer and secretes mineralocorticoids, mainly aldosterone.

16. Cortisol is secreted by:

A. Zona glomerulosa
B. Zona fasciculata
C. Zona reticularis
D. Adrenal medulla

Answer: B. Zona fasciculata

Explanation: Zona fasciculata secretes glucocorticoids, principally cortisol.

17. Which hormone is secreted by the adrenal medulla?

A. Cortisol
B. Aldosterone
C. Epinephrine
D. Testosterone

Answer: C. Epinephrine

Explanation: The adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines such as epinephrine and norepinephrine.

18. Which pancreatic cells produce insulin?

A. Alpha cells
B. Beta cells
C. Delta cells
D. PP cells

Answer: B. Beta cells

Explanation: Beta cells of the islets of Langerhans synthesize and secrete insulin.

19. Glucagon is secreted by:

A. Alpha cells
B. Beta cells
C. Delta cells
D. Acinar cells

Answer: A. Alpha cells

Explanation: Alpha cells secrete glucagon, which increases blood glucose levels.

20. Somatostatin is secreted by:

A. Alpha cells
B. Beta cells
C. Delta cells
D. PP cells

Answer: C. Delta cells

Explanation: Somatostatin inhibits secretion of insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone.

21. Melatonin is secreted by:

A. Thymus gland
B. Pineal gland
C. Pituitary gland
D. Thyroid gland

Answer: B. Pineal gland

Explanation: Melatonin regulates circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycles.

22. The thymus gland plays a major role in:

A. Calcium metabolism
B. Glucose metabolism
C. T-lymphocyte maturation
D. Blood pressure regulation

Answer: C. T-lymphocyte maturation

Explanation: The thymus is essential for the development and maturation of T lymphocytes involved in immunity.

23. Which hormone acts via tyrosine kinase receptors?

A. Glucagon
B. ACTH
C. Insulin
D. TSH

Answer: C. Insulin

Explanation: Insulin receptors possess intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity, leading to phosphorylation cascades.

24. Which hormone uses the IP3-DAG second messenger pathway?

A. Parathyroid hormone
B. Growth hormone
C. Oxytocin
D. Glucagon

Answer: C. Oxytocin

Explanation: Oxytocin activates phospholipase C, generating IP3 and DAG as second messengers.

25. Which gland is known as the "master gland" of the body?

A. Thyroid gland
B. Pituitary gland
C. Pineal gland
D. Adrenal gland

Answer: B. Pituitary gland

Explanation: The pituitary gland controls several endocrine glands through trophic hormones such as TSH, ACTH, FSH, and LH.

26. Which hormone decreases blood glucose levels?

A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Epinephrine
D. Insulin

Answer: D. Insulin

Explanation: Insulin promotes glucose uptake by tissues and glycogen synthesis, reducing blood glucose concentration.

27. Which endocrine gland degenerates after puberty?

A. Thyroid gland
B. Adrenal gland
C. Thymus gland
D. Pineal gland

Answer: C. Thymus gland

Explanation: The thymus undergoes involution after puberty and is gradually replaced by adipose tissue.

28. Which hormone regulates basal metabolic rate?

A. Insulin
B. Thyroxine
C. Aldosterone
D. Melatonin

Answer: B. Thyroxine

Explanation: Thyroid hormones increase oxygen consumption and regulate basal metabolic rate.

29. Which hormone promotes sodium and water retention?

A. Cortisol
B. Aldosterone
C. Glucagon
D. Calcitonin

Answer: B. Aldosterone

Explanation: Aldosterone acts on renal tubules to increase sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion.

30. Which of the following is an amino acid-derived hormone?

A. Insulin
B. Cortisol
C. Thyroxine
D. Progesterone

Answer: C. Thyroxine

Explanation: Thyroxine is synthesized from tyrosine residues and iodine and is classified as an amino acid-derived hormone.

Advanced MCQs on Hormones and Endocrine Glands

Assertion–Reason Questions

1.

Assertion (A): Steroid hormones act mainly through intracellular receptors.
Reason (R): Steroid hormones are lipid soluble and can cross the plasma membrane.

11. Match the hormone with its receptor type.

List I List II
P. Insulin 1. Nuclear receptor
Q. Cortisol 2. GPCR
R. Glucagon 3. Receptor tyrosine kinase
S. Thyroxine 4. Intracellular receptor

A. P-3, Q-4, R-2, S-1
B. P-2, Q-4, R-3, S-1
C. P-3, Q-2, R-4, S-1
D. P-4, Q-3, R-2, S-1

Answer: A

12. Match the gland with the hormone.

List I List II
P. Pineal gland 1. Thymosin
Q. Thymus 2. Melatonin
R. Adrenal cortex 3. Cortisol
S. Parathyroid gland 4. PTH

A. P-2, Q-1, R-3, S-4
B. P-1, Q-2, R-4, S-3
C. P-3, Q-4, R-2, S-1
D. P-4, Q-3, R-1, S-2

Answer: A

13. Match adrenal cortex zones with hormones.

List I List II
P. Zona glomerulosa 1. Androgens
Q. Zona fasciculata 2. Cortisol
R. Zona reticularis 3. Aldosterone

A. P-3, Q-2, R-1
B. P-2, Q-1, R-3
C. P-1, Q-3, R-2
D. P-3, Q-1, R-2

Answer: A

14. Match pancreatic cells with secretions.

List I List II
P. Alpha cells 1. Somatostatin
Q. Beta cells 2. Pancreatic polypeptide
R. Delta cells 3. Glucagon
S. PP cells 4. Insulin

A. P-3, Q-4, R-1, S-2
B. P-4, Q-3, R-1, S-2
C. P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2
D. P-2, Q-4, R-3, S-1

Answer: A

15. Match hormones with second messengers.

List I List II
P. TSH 1. Tyrosine kinase
Q. Oxytocin 2. cAMP
R. Insulin 3. IP3-DAG

A. P-2, Q-3, R-1
B. P-3, Q-2, R-1
C. P-1, Q-2, R-3
D. P-2, Q-1, R-3

Answer: A

Clinical Case-Based Questions

A child presents with short stature and delayed skeletal growth. Laboratory findings reveal low serum IGF-1 levels. Which hormone deficiency is most likely?

A. ACTH
B. Growth hormone
C. TSH
D. Prolactin

Answer: B

Explanation: Growth hormone stimulates IGF-1 production, which mediates bone growth.

17. A patient has a moon face, central obesity, and muscle wasting. Excess secretion of which hormone is likely?

A. Aldosterone
B. Cortisol
C. Thyroxine
D. Glucagon

Answer: B

Explanation: Hypercortisolism produces the classical features of Cushing syndrome.

A patient develops tetany after thyroid surgery. Which hormone is likely deficient?

A. Calcitonin
B. PTH
C. TSH
D. Thyroxine

Answer: B

Explanation: Accidental removal of parathyroid glands causes hypocalcemia and tetany.

A patient complains of heat intolerance, weight loss, and tachycardia. Which hormone is elevated?

A. Insulin
B. Thyroxine
C. Cortisol
D. Aldosterone

Answer: B

A patient with fasting blood glucose of 280 mg/dL has destruction of beta cells. Which hormone is deficient?

A. Glucagon
B. Somatostatin
C. Insulin
D. Cortisol

Answer: C

Hyperpigmentation & hypotension are suggestive of deficiency of

A. Cortisol
B. Melatonin
C. Insulin
D. Prolactin

Answer: A

Which endocrine gland is most active during childhood but undergoes involution after puberty?

A. Pineal gland
B. Thyroid gland
C. Thymus
D. Pituitary gland

Answer: C

A patient develops hypertension with hypokalemia due to excessive aldosterone secretion. Which adrenal zone is involved?

A. Zona fasciculata
B. Zona reticularis
C. Zona glomerulosa
D. Medulla

Answer: C

A tumor of chromaffin cells would increase secretion of:

A. Cortisol
B. Epinephrine
C. Aldosterone
D. Testosterone

Answer: B

Which hormone is responsible for milk ejection reflex?

A. Prolactin
B. Oxytocin
C. Estrogen
D. FSH

Answer: B

26. Which hormone has the shortest plasma half-life?

A. Cortisol
B. Thyroxine
C. Epinephrine
D. Aldosterone

Answer: C

27. Which hormone exhibits pulsatile secretion?

A. Growth hormone
B. Thyroxine
C. Cortisol
D. Aldosterone

Answer: A

28. Which hormone has both endocrine and paracrine functions?

A. Somatostatin
B. Thyroxine
C. ACTH
D. PTH

Answer: A

29. Which hormone is synthesized as preproinsulin?

A. Growth hormone
B. Insulin
C. Cortisol
D. Glucagon

Answer: B

30. Which hormone is iodine-containing?

A. Cortisol
B. Insulin
C. Thyroxine
D. Aldosterone

Answer: C

The principal regulator of calcium homeostasis is:

A. Melatonin
B. PTH
C. TSH
D. ACTH

Answer: B

The hypothalamic hormone inhibiting growth hormone release is

A. Somatostatin
B. Dopamine
C. TRH
D. CRH

Answer: A

Which hormone stimulates uterine contraction during labor?

A. Prolactin
B. Oxytocin
C. LH
D. ACTH

Answer: B

The endocrine pancreas constitutes approximately what percentage of pancreatic mass?

A. 1–2%
B. 10–15%
C. 25–30%
D. 40–50%

Answer: A

Which pituitary hormone stimulates cortisol secretion?

A. LH
B. FSH
C. ACTH
D. TSH

Answer: C

Which hormone follows circadian rhythm most prominently?

A. Cortisol
B. Insulin
C. PTH
D. Calcitonin

Answer: A

Which hormone decreases serum phosphate levels?

A. PTH
B. Calcitonin
C. Aldosterone
D. Cortisol

Answer: A

Which endocrine gland develops from neural crest cells?

A. Thyroid follicular cells
B. Adrenal medulla
C. Pituitary gland
D. Parathyroid gland

Answer: B

Which hormone promotes glycogen synthesis?

A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Insulin
D. Epinephrine

Answer: C

Which hormone acts through JAK-STAT signaling?

A. Growth hormone
B. Glucagon
C. ACTH
D. TSH

Answer: A

Which pituitary hormone is under tonic inhibition by dopamine?

A. ACTH
B. Growth hormone
C. Prolactin
D. TSH

Answer: C

Which endocrine gland stores hormones extracellularly?

A. Thyroid gland
B. Pituitary gland
C. Adrenal gland
D. Pancreas

Answer: A

Which hormone promotes potassium excretion by kidneys?

A. Insulin
B. Aldosterone
C. Cortisol
D. PTH

Answer: B

The immediate precursor of epinephrine is:

A. Tyrosine
B. Dopamine
C. Norepinephrine
D. DOPA

Answer: C

Which hormone increases intestinal calcium absorption indirectly?

Dr Alok Singh.