MCQ 2

Question 1

How does stimulation of th pituitary gland occur?

Answer 1

External & internal cues are relayed
through the hypothalamus, leading to
hormone secretion from the pituitary

Question 2

How does the hypothalamus control function of the anterior pituitary?

Answer 2

Linked by blood vessels to HT. Releasing & inhibitory hormones travel from
the HT to the AP (via network of blood
vessels), where they control the secretory
activity of the AP

Question 3

How does the hypothalamus control function of the posterior pituitary?

Answer 3

Extension of nerve cells from HT. Secreted hormones are synthesised in the HT &
transported along nerve axons to the PP, from
where they are released

Question 4

What can disease in anterior pituitary gland cause?

Answer 4

syndromes of hormone excess or deficiency

Question 5

Functions of growth hormone

Answer 5

increases glucose levels in response to hypoglycaemia
regulates lipid metabolism
regulation of body mass = individuals deficient in GH having increased fat mass
promotes skeletal muscle growth promotes bone health and density

Question 6

What does GH stimulate to promote effects indirectly?

Answer 6

stimulation of IGF-1 hormone production in liver

Question 7

What action does IGF-1 have?

Answer 7

autocrine and paracrine action, growth promoting effects in almost every cell

Question 8

GH receptor in unbound state?

Answer 8

Unbound homodimer, cant phosphorylate itself and relies on the JAK/STAT phosphorylation

Question 9

What does a mutation in the GH receptor result in?

Answer 9

Laron syndrome, forming a GH insensitivity snd short stature

Question 10

What is a treatment for Larons syndrome?

Answer 10

Daily injections of recombinant GH known as somatropin.Used as hormone replacement therapy. Acts through GH receptors to increase IGF-1. Alsoused to increase muscle mass, lactation and milk production. Recombinant IGF-1 also used.

Question 11

What stimulates GH secretion via anterior pituitary?

Answer 11

GHRH

Question 12

What inhibits GH via posterior pituitary?

Answer 12

Somatostatin

Question 13

What increases GH secretion?

Answer 13

Blood glucose, Ghrelin + Sleep + Dopamine, IGF-1

Question 14

What does excess GH result in?

Answer 14

gigantism in children and acromegaly in adults

Question 15

Two treatments for acromegaly?

Answer 15

1st choice treatment isradiotherapy. 2nd choice treatment of acromegaly involves: stimulation of pituitarysomatostatin receptors and dopamine (D2) receptors.

Question 16

What is the function of prolactin?

Answer 16

Regulates lactation and milk production. Inhibits ovulation and controls breast development.

Question 17

What effect does the sound of a child cry have on a mother?

Answer 17

stimulates higher brain centres, in turn stimulates hypothlmys toproduce oxytocin via posterior pituitary which increases smooth muscle contraction viastimulation of myoepithelial cells. This facilitates the ejection of milk. Stimulation of higher brain centres also decreases the production of prolactin inhibitoryhormone (PIH), facilitating increased prolactin levels. PRL acts on milk gland cells resulting inincreased milk production. Dopamine production is also decreased.

Question 18

What is a treatment for prolactinoma?

Answer 18

1st choice treatment is dopamine agonists such as cabergoline and bromocriptine andsurgery.

Question 19

What is hypopituitarism?

Answer 19

Disorder of anterior pituitary. Caused by Sheehan’s Syndrome (blood loss during or after child birth). Results in decreased GH, LH and FSH and failure to lactate.

Question 20

How is hypopituitarism treated?

Answer 20

Treatment of lactation failure is through drug which increase PRL production.

Question 21

What is PEGylation therapy (Pegvisomant)?

Answer 21

a monotherapy and in combination with somatostatin analogues, mainly
used in patients for whom somatostatin analogues alone, or surgery or radiotherapy are not effective

Question 22

What can cause gynaecomastia (breast tissue growth) in men?

Answer 22

Excess prolactin

Question 23

Where are the adrenal glands located?

Answer 23

2 separate adrenal glands located on top of each kidney.

Question 24

Where do the adrenal glands supply?

Answer 24

adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla, both supplied by the renal artery

Question 25

What regulates the medulla?

Answer 25

Regulated by direct neural input and Ach production

Question 26

What does the medulla produce and regulate?

Answer 26

Produces catecholamines such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamineRegulates short term Fight or Flight stress response

Question 27

What happens in the rate-limiting step of medulla activation?

Answer 27

conversion of tyrosine to DOPA via tyrosine hydroxylase

Question 28

What happens in the last step of medulla activation?

Answer 28

conversion of noradrenaline to adrenaline by PNMT