International University of Africa

Faculty of Medicine
Endocrine and Metabolism, Supplementary Examination.
Batch (11) Medical Students
Date 1/4/2010
Time: (3 hours)
Student Name:

Section (1): Select the one best answer in each of the following
1. Which of the following can best describe the mechanism of signal transducti
on of type- II hormone (the lipophobic hormone)?
A. synthesizing more G-proteins in the target cell.
B. responding to a feedback mechanism.
C. binding to specific cell surface receptors. D. stimulating cAMP phosphor-di
esterase.
E. increasing the basal metabolic rate in the target organ.
2. Which of the following would be associated with the action of steroids on c
ells?
A. a hormone-receptor complex that bind to the chromatin in target cells. B. e
xtracellular receptors with high specificity for steroid hormone.
C. an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of cAMP in the target cells.
D. second-messenger systems that increases the expression of G-proteins. E. op
ening of ions channels that allow calcium transport into target cells.
3.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

The hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract

.
is the site of prolactin synthesis.
conducts aldosterone to the hypophysis.
ends at the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland
is partly contained within the infundibulum.
connects the hypophysis to the pituitary gland.

4. Gluconeogenesis in the liver is primarily stimulated by which of the follow

ing?
A. aldosterone. B. glucagon.
C. insulin
D. cortisol
E. glycogenin.
5. A patient has undergone a parathyroidectomy (surgical removal of the parath
yroid gland). In comparison with a normal individual, the patient will have a(n)
:
A. higher rate of calcitriol synthesis.
B. lower plasma phosphate concentration
C. lower plasma calcium concentration.
D. lower plasma potassium concentration.
E. increased calcium retention by the kidneys.
IUA, FM, Endocrine, SubSupExam, 2010
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6. Which of the following is a defect that results from defective receptors
A. congenital adrenal hyperplasia. B. pheochromocytoma.
C. pseudohyperaldosteronism.
D. testicular feminization.

E. Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

7. Which of
A. increased
ased glycogen
D. increased
E. increased

the following results from glucagon action on liver cells?

glucokinase activity B. increased fatty acid synthesis. C. incre
synthesis.
ketone body utilization.
pyruvate carboxylase activity..

8. Uncontrolled Type I diabetes mellitus is characterized by which of the foll

owing?
A. hypoglycemia. B. ketoacidosis
C. decreased insulin sensitivity. D. increased glucose utilization.
E. autoimmune destruction of insulin.
9. Which of the following occurs at week 14 of development with regard to the
thyroid gland?
A. follicles develop from endodermal cells.
B. thyroid hormone is lost leading to cretinism.
C. colloid is produced and the gland starts working.
D. thyroglossal duct descends from endoderm pharynx.
E. thyroglossal duct divides into two lobes at the trachea.
10. Which
A. T4 is
B. T4 is
C. T4 is
formed by
E. T4 is

of the following is true of tetraiodothyronine (T4)?

less abundant but more active than T3
secreted in a concentration much greater than T3.
formed by oxidative coupling of two diiodotyrosines (DITs). D. T4 is
the addition of four iodine atoms to thyroglobulin.
formed by oxidative coupling of four monoiodotyrosine (MITs).

11. Which of the following describes the embryonic development of the adrenal gl
and?
A. cortical cells arise from mesoderm; medulla cells originate from endoderm B.
cortical cells arise from neural crest; medulla cells originate from ectoderm
C. cortical cells arise from ectoderm; medulla cells originate from neural cres
t D. cortical cells arise from mesoderm; medulla cells originate from neural cr
est E. cortical cells arise from neural crest; medulla cells originate from end
oderm
12.
A.
B.
C.
.
E.

Which of the following is correct about the action of glucocorticoids?

increases osteoclast activity.
increases plasma glucose levels.
decreases lipid hydrolysis (lipolysis). D. increases inflammatory responses
increases electrolytes retention by kidneys.

IUA, FM, Endocrine, SubSupExam, 2010

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13. Which of the following is the anterior pituitary cell type is responsible fo
r making and releasing prolactin?
A. mammatropes
B. thyrotropes
C. gonadotropes D. corticotropes E. somatotrope
14. Which of the following hormones is transported in the blood bound to carrier
molecules?
A. ACTH and prolactin
B. oxytocin and ADH
C. epinephrine and norepinephrine
D. steroid and thyroid hormones

E. peptide hormones and catecholamines

15. As a functional classification, tropic hormones are hormones that:

A. have a negative feed-back control system
B. are released as a result of nervous stimulation.
C. function as neurotransmitters in the nervous system.
D. are important in the growth and maturation of body tissues.
E. regulate the release of hormones from other endocrine glands.
16. An asymptomatic 50-year-old woman has hypertension. She has increased urinar
y excretion of catecholamines. Her CT scan shows a suprarenal mass. Microscopic
examination of the resected mass is most likely to show:
A. a benign neoplasm of the adrenal cortex.
B. a malignant neoplasm of the adrenal medulla. C. a malignant neoplasm of t
he adrenal cortex. D. a benign neoplasm of the adrenal medulla.
E. diffuse hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex.
17. A patient has increased plasma concentrations of ACTH, transcortin (cortisol
-binding globulin), and total cortisol, but a normal concentration of free corti
sol. These findings are most consistent with:
A. pregnancy.
B. hepatic failure.
C. Cushing's syndrome.
D. primary hyperadrenocorticism. E. adrenocortical insufficiency.

IUA, FM, Endocrine, SubSupExam, 2010

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18. A hyperthyroid patient has low plasma level of thyroid stimulating hormone.
Which of the flowing would be the most likely cause of the hyperthyroidism?
A. an autoimmune disease.
B. impaired thyroid peroxidase.
C. an excessive dietary intake of iodine.
D. a defect in the iodination of thyroglobulin.
E. decreased secretion of thyrotropin releasing hormone.
19. Experimental animals given daily injections of a substance for a week show e
nlarged adrenal glands, but no change in hepatic glycogen content. This substanc
e is:
A. cortisol.
B. aldosterone. C. metyrapone.
D. adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). E. corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH
).
20. Laboratory investigations of a woman complaining of weight gain and fatigue
produced the following data:
Investigations

Results

Normal range T4
12 mU/l
123I uptake
10-25% at 24 h

3 g/dl
5-12 g/dl Resin T3 Uptake
25%-35% Serum TSH
0.3-5.0 mU/l
9% at 24 h

20%

What is the most likely conclusion about the womans endocrine status?
A. euthyroid
B. primary hypothyroidism
C. secondary hypothyroidism
D. thyroid binding globulin (TBG) deficiency
E. thyroid binding globulin (TBG) excess

IUA, FM, Endocrine, SubSupExam, 2010

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Section (2): Extended Matching Questions:
1. Match each hormone in list (A) to its primary function in list (B), write t
he letter of the selected answer in the answer column provided.
No
List (A)
Answer
List (B)
1
Melatonin
(
)
(A)
increase basal metabolic
rate
2
Leptin
(
)
(B)
stimulates the fight-or
-flight response
3
T3
(
)
(C)
regulates circadian
rhythms
4
Oxytocin
(
)
(D)
stimulates the release of
TSH
5
Epinephrine
(
)
(E)
inhibits appetite
(F)
lowers blood glucose levels
(G)
stimulates uterine contractions

2. Match each clinical condition in list (A) to appropriate sign or symptom in

list (B), write the letter of the selected answer in the answer column provided
.
No
List (A)
Answer
List (B)
1
Dwarfism
(
)
(A)
high metabolism
2
Graves disease
(
)
(B)
watery urine
3
Hypothyroidism
(
)
(C)
low blood sugar
4
Addisons disease
(
)
(D)
tremors and palpitations
5
Hyperinsulinism
(
)
(E)
inhibited growth (F)
hig
h blood sugar (G)
increased heart rate

3. Match the hormone in list (A) to its target cells or tissues in list (B), w
rite the letter of the selected answer in the answer column provided.
No
List (A)
Answer
List (B)
1
GnRH
es-semineferous tubules
2
Progesterone
tubules
3
Luteninizing hormone
(
is
4
Prolactin
oth muscle of uterus
5
Follicle stimulating hormone
(
(F)
neurohypophysis (G)
mammary gland

(A)

)
)

(B)

(C)
)

(D)

(E)

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Section (2): Short Answer
1. List four signs/symptoms of insulin shock.
a.
. b.
. c.
. d.

2. List three factors that increase the risk of diabetes.

smo

lining of uterus

IUA, FM, Endocrine, SubSupExam, 2010

renal

adenohypophys

(
)

test

a.
. b.
. c.
.
3. List three signs/symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
a.
b.
c.

4. Describe how hormones are classified on the basis of their chemical composit
ion.
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IUA, FM, Endocrine, SubSupExam, 2010

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5. Briefly describe the anatomical location and structure of the pancreas.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. Briefly describe the location and structure of the parathyroid glands.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Good luck
IUA, FM, Endocrine, SubSupExam, 2010
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