60+ Questions & Answers - NCERT Based (Class 11)
Structured as Part A (1 mark, short answers), Part B (4 marks, ~6 lines/medium length), Part C (8 marks, detailed/long). 20 per part, based on chapter, answers matching scheme.
Part A: 1 Mark Questions (Short Answers)
1. What is an endocrine gland?
1 Mark Answer: Ductless gland secreting hormones into blood.
2. Modern definition of hormone?
1 Mark Answer: Non-nutrient intercellular messenger in trace amounts.
3. Hypothalamus hormones types?
1 Mark Answer: Releasing and inhibiting.
4. Example of releasing hormone?
1 Mark Answer: GnRH.
5. Pituitary divided into?
1 Mark Answer: Adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis.
6. GH excess causes?
1 Mark Answer: Gigantism.
7. ADH function?
1 Mark Answer: Water reabsorption.
8. Pineal hormone?
1 Mark Answer: Melatonin.
9. Thyroid hormones?
1 Mark Answer: T3, T4.
10. Iodine deficiency causes?
1 Mark Answer: Goitre.
11. PTH function?
1 Mark Answer: Increases blood Ca2+.
12. Thymus secretes?
1 Mark Answer: Thymosins.
13. Adrenal medulla hormones?
1 Mark Answer: Adrenaline, noradrenaline.
14. Cortisol is?
1 Mark Answer: Glucocorticoid.
15. Aldosterone function?
1 Mark Answer: Na+ reabsorption.
16. Insulin from?
1 Mark Answer: β-cells.
17. Glucagon effect?
1 Mark Answer: Hyperglycemia.
18. Testis hormone?
1 Mark Answer: Testosterone.
19. Ovary hormones?
1 Mark Answer: Estrogen, progesterone.
20. ANF from?
1 Mark Answer: Heart.
Part B: 4 Marks Questions (Medium Length Answers ~6 Lines)
1. Differentiate neural and endocrine coordination.
4 Marks Answer: Neural: Point-to-point, rapid, short-lived via nerve fibers. Doesn't innervate all cells. Endocrine: Widespread, slow, long-lasting via hormones in blood. Jointly regulate physiology. Neural for quick responses; endocrine for sustained. Example: Adrenaline (neural trigger, hormonal effect).
2. Explain hypothalamus role.
4 Marks Answer: Basal forebrain; neurosecretory nuclei produce releasing/inhibiting hormones. Regulate pituitary: GnRH stimulates gonadotrophins; somatostatin inhibits GH. Anterior via portal system; posterior neural. Links neural-endocrine. Wide body function spectrum.
3. Describe pituitary structure and hormones.
4 Marks Answer: In sella turcica; anterior (adenohypophysis: GH, PRL, TSH, ACTH, LH/FSH), intermediate (MSH), posterior (oxytocin, ADH from hypothalamus). Functions: Growth, lactation, thyroid/adrenal/gonadal stimulation. Disorders: Gigantism, diabetes insipidus.
4. Functions of thyroid hormones.
4 Marks Answer: T3/T4 regulate basal metabolism, RBC formation, carb/protein/fat metabolism, water balance. TCT lowers Ca2+. Iodine essential; deficiency: Goitre/cretinism. Hyper: Graves' disease (weight loss, exophthalmos).
5. Role of PTH and TCT.
4 Marks Answer: PTH (parathyroid): Raises Ca2+ via bone resorption, renal/gut absorption. Hypercalcemic. TCT (thyroid): Lowers Ca2+. Together maintain calcium homeostasis. Regulated by blood Ca2+ levels.
6. Adrenal gland functions.
4 Marks Answer: Medulla: Catecholamines for fight/flight (heart rate, glycogenolysis). Cortex: Glucocorticoids (cortisol: metabolism, anti-inflammatory), mineralocorticoids (aldosterone: electrolytes), androgens (puberty hair). Addison's: Weakness.
7. Pancreas as endocrine gland.
4 Marks Answer: Islets: α-glucagon (hyperglycemia: glycogenolysis), β-insulin (hypoglycemia: uptake/glycogenesis). Maintain glucose homeostasis. Diabetes: Insulin deficiency, ketone bodies.
8. Gonadal hormones in males.
4 Marks Answer: Testis: Androgens (testosterone) from Leydig cells. Develop accessories, secondary characters, spermatogenesis, libido, anabolic effects.
9. Gonadal hormones in females.
4 Marks Answer: Ovary: Estrogen (follicles: accessories, characters), progesterone (corpus luteum: pregnancy, mammary). Regulate cycle, behavior.
10. GI tract hormones.
4 Marks Answer: Gastrin (HCl), secretin (bicarbonate), CCK (enzymes/bile), GIP (inhibits secretion). Aid digestion, absorption.
11. Second messenger role.
4 Marks Answer: For membrane receptors (peptides): cAMP/IP3/Ca2+ amplify signals, regulate metabolism without hormone entry.
12. Steroid hormone action.
4 Marks Answer: Enter cell, bind nuclear receptors, regulate gene expression for protein synthesis, physiological effects.
13. Diabetes mellitus cause.
4 Marks Answer: Insulin deficiency/resistance; hyperglycemia, glucosuria, ketonuria. Treated with insulin.
14. Thymus importance.
4 Marks Answer: Thymosins for T-cell immunity (cell-mediated, humoral). Degenerates, weakens elderly immunity.
15. ANF function.
4 Marks Answer: From heart atria; lowers BP via vessel dilation when pressure high.
16. Erythropoietin source.
4 Marks Answer: Kidney juxtaglomerular cells; stimulates erythropoiesis.
17. Acromegaly symptom.
4 Marks Answer: GH excess in adults; facial disfigurement.
18. Cretinism cause.
4 Marks Answer: Hypothyroidism in pregnancy; stunted growth, mental retardation.
19. Oxytocin role in females.
4 Marks Answer: Uterus contraction at birth, milk ejection.
20. Hyperthyroidism form.
4 Marks Answer: Exophthalmic goitre/Graves' disease.
Part C: 8 Marks Questions (Detailed Long Answers)
1. Describe human endocrine system overview.
8 Marks Answer: Endocrine system: Ductless glands (pituitary, thyroid, etc.) and tissues (GI, heart) secrete hormones for coordination. Neural: Fast/point-specific; endocrine: Slow/widespread/sustained. Joint regulation of physiology. Hypothalamus links via releasing/inhibiting hormones to pituitary (master gland). Major glands: Pineal (rhythms), thyroid (metabolism), parathyroid (Ca2+), thymus (immunity), adrenal (stress), pancreas (glucose), gonads (reproduction). Other: ANF (BP), erythropoietin (RBC), GI (digestion). Hormones: Trace, specific receptors. Disorders: Imbalances like diabetes, goitre. Evolutionary: Complex in vertebrates for homeostasis. Figure 19.1 locations essential for diagrams.
2. Explain pituitary gland in detail.
8 Marks Answer: Attached to hypothalamus in sella turcica; adenohypophysis (anterior: pars distalis GH/PRL/TSH/ACTH/LH/FSH for growth/lactation/thyroid/adrenal/gonads; pars intermedia MSH pigmentation) and neurohypophysis (posterior: oxytocin milk ejection/uterus contraction, ADH water reabsorption - deficiency diabetes insipidus). Regulated by hypothalamic portal/neural. Disorders: GH excess gigantism (child)/acromegaly (adult - facial changes, complications); low dwarfism. LH/FSH: Males spermatogenesis/androgens; females ovulation/corpus luteum/FSH follicles. ACTH glucocorticoids. PRL mammary. Hard to diagnose early acromegaly. Key trophic role.
3. Discuss thyroid and parathyroid glands.
8 Marks Answer: Thyroid: Two lobes on trachea (isthmus); follicles synthesize T3/T4 (iodine needed) for BMR, RBC, metabolism, balance; TCT lowers Ca2+. Deficiency: Hypothyroidism - goitre (enlargement), cretinism (pregnancy: stunted/mental issues), irregular menses. Hyper: Cancer/nodules - Graves' (protruding eyes, high BMR, loss). Parathyroid: Four behind thyroid; PTH peptide raises Ca2+ (bones dissolve, renal/gut absorption) - hypercalcemic, balances TCT. Regulated by Ca2+ levels. Both crucial homeostasis; iodine diet prevents goitre. Figures 19.3a/b show positions.
4. Elaborate adrenal gland functions and disorders.
8 Marks Answer: Pair above kidneys; medulla (central: adrenaline/noradrenaline catecholamines - emergency/fight/flight: alertness, dilation, sweating, heart/respiration up, glycogen/lipid/protein breakdown). Cortex (outer layers: glomerulosa mineralocorticoids aldosterone Na+/water retain/excrete K+ for BP/volume; fasciculata glucocorticoids cortisol gluconeogenesis/lipolysis/proteolysis, anti-inflammatory, RBC, CV/kidney; reticularis androgens puberty hair). Addison's: Cortex low - weakness/fatigue from carb issues. Figure 19.4 shows structure. Stress response key; cortisol suppresses immunity.
5. Explain pancreas role in glucose regulation.
8 Marks Answer: Composite gland; endocrine islets (1-2% tissue: α-glucagon hyperglycemia via liver glycogenolysis/gluconeogenesis/reduced uptake; β-insulin hypoglycemia via hepatocyte/adipocyte uptake/glycogenesis). Homeostasis: Antagonistic balance. Prolonged high glucose: Diabetes mellitus - glucosuria, ketonemia (harmful bodies), treated insulin. Islets ~1-2 million. Deficiency/resistance complex; urine loss, complications. Essential for metabolism; links to nutrition/diet.
6. Describe gonadal hormones and functions.
8 Marks Answer: Testis: Dual (seminiferous tubules sperm, Leydig androgens testosterone - accessories epididymis/vas/seminal/prostate, secondary hair/voice/aggression, spermatogenesis, libido, anabolic protein/carb). Ovary: Follicles estrogen (accessories/follicles growth, secondary voice/breast, behavior); post-ovulation corpus luteum progesterone (pregnancy maintenance, mammary alveoli/milk). Regulate reproduction/puberty. Figure 19.1 positions. Disruptions: Infertility, PCOS.
7. Hormones from non-endocrine organs.
8 Marks Answer: Heart: ANF peptide from atria lowers BP (vessel dilation on high pressure). Kidney: Juxtaglomerular erythropoietin for RBC (erythropoiesis). GI: Endocrine cells - gastrin gastric HCl/pepsinogen, secretin exocrine pancreas water/bicarbonate, CCK pancreas enzymes/gallbladder bile, GIP inhibits gastric motility/secretion. Growth factors from tissues for repair/growth. Broaden hormone concept; aid digestion, hematopoiesis, pressure. Essential integration.
8. Mechanism of hormone action in detail.
8 Marks Answer: Bind specific target receptors (membrane for peptides/derivatives; intracellular/nuclear for steroids/thyroid). Complex formation: Biochemical changes regulate metabolism/physiology. Peptides (insulin/glucagon/pituitary): Don't enter, generate second messengers (cAMP/IP3/Ca2+) for responses (Figure 19.5a). Steroids (cortisol/testosterone): Enter, nuclear bind, gene expression/chromosome function for proteins/differentiation (Figure 19.5b). Groups: Peptides, steroids, iodothyronines, amino derivatives. Specificity: One hormone per receptor. Cumulative effects developmental.
9. Discuss endocrine disorders.
8 Marks Answer: Gigantism/dwarfism (GH), acromegaly (adult GH excess - face issues), diabetes insipidus (ADH low - dehydration), goitre/cretinism (thyroid low - iodine), Graves' (thyroid high - eyes/BMR), Addison's (adrenal cortex low - fatigue), diabetes mellitus (insulin - glucose/ketones). Causes: Deficiency/excess, cancer, pregnancy. Treatments: Supplements (iodine/insulin), therapy. Impact: Growth, metabolism, immunity. Early diagnosis key; e.g., acromegaly undetected years.
10. Role of thymus and pineal glands.
8 Marks Answer: Thymus: Behind sternum, lobular; thymosins differentiate T-lymphocytes (cell-mediated/humoral immunity via antibodies). Major immune development; degenerates old age - weak responses. Pineal: Dorsal forebrain; melatonin regulates 24-hr rhythms (sleep-wake, temperature), influences metabolism/pigmentation/menstrual/defense. Circadian key; light-sensitive. Both specialized: Immunity rhythms. Age-related decline thymus; pineal seasonal effects.
11. Compare glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids.
8 Marks Answer: Both adrenal cortex; glucocorticoids (cortisol main): Carb metabolism (gluconeogenesis/lipolysis/proteolysis, inhibit amino uptake), maintain CV/kidney, anti-inflammatory/suppress immunity, stimulate RBC. Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone): Renal Na+/water reabsorb, K+/phosphate excrete; maintain electrolytes/fluid/osmotic/BP. Layers: Fasciculata/reticularis glucocorticoids, glomerulosa mineralocorticoids. Stress: Cortisol up; volume: Aldosterone. Androgens minor. Addison's affects both.
12. Explain feedback in hormone regulation.
8 Marks Answer: Hypothalamus-pituitary axis: Releasing hormones stimulate pituitary tropic (TSH/ACTH/LH/FSH) which target glands (thyroid/adrenal/gonads) feedback inhibit. E.g., High T3/T4 inhibit TSH/GnRH. Ca2+ regulates PTH/TCT. Glucose: Insulin/glucagon antagonistic. ADH: Osmolarity. Ensures balance; disruptions cause disorders like hyperthyroidism. Negative feedback common; positive rare (ovulation). Evolutionary for homeostasis.
13. Significance of trace hormone amounts.
8 Marks Answer: High receptor affinity amplifies signals via second messengers/gene expression. E.g., Insulin trace lowers glucose rapidly. Efficiency: No waste, specific. Disorders from imbalance show potency. Modern definition emphasizes. Vs. nutrients: Messengers, not energy. Trace enables fine control; excess toxicity.
14. Hormones in reproduction.
8 Marks Answer: Hypothalamus GnRH → pituitary LH/FSH → gonads. Males: FSH/androgens spermatogenesis; LH testosterone. Females: FSH follicles/estrogen; LH ovulation/corpus/progesterone. Oxytocin labor/milk. Progesterone pregnancy. Estrogen characters/behavior. Disruptions: Infertility. Cycle: Feedback loops.
15. Digestion hormones overview.
8 Marks Answer: GI peptides: Gastrin stimulates gastric HCl/pepsinogen for protein digestion. Secretin: Pancreatic bicarbonate neutralizes acid. CCK: Pancreatic enzymes (proteases/lipases/amylase), gallbladder bile for fats. GIP: Inhibits gastric to slow, allows absorption. Coordinate phases: Cephalic/gastric/intestinal. Essential breakdown/absorption; disorders like ulcers from imbalance.
16. Compare membrane and intracellular receptors.
8 Marks Answer: Membrane (peptides/derivatives): Hormone binds outside, second messengers (cAMP/Ca2+) inside for quick metabolism changes. Intracellular/nuclear (steroids/thyroid): Hormone enters, binds, gene expression for long-term growth/differentiation. Specificity: One per hormone. Figures 19.5a/b illustrate. Determines action speed/type.
17. Impact of endocrine on immunity/metabolism.
8 Marks Answer: Thymosins: T-cells/immunity. Cortisol: Suppresses inflammation/immune. Thyroid: Metabolism/RBC. Insulin/glucagon: Glucose. PTH/TCT: Ca2+ for bones/cells. Melatonin: Defense. Interlinks: Stress weakens immunity via cortisol. Metabolism: Thyroid/adrenal/pancreas core. Disorders: Autoimmune (Graves'), metabolic (diabetes).
18. Evolutionary aspects of endocrine system.
8 Marks Answer: Invertebrates: Simple, few hormones (ecdysone). Vertebrates: Complex, many (pituitary axis). Human: Integrated with neural for homeostasis. Adaptations: Stress hormones survival, reproduction continuity. Molecular: Similar receptors across species. Future: Endocrine disruptors (plastics) challenge.
19. Therapeutic uses of hormones.
8 Marks Answer: Insulin: Diabetes control. Thyroxine: Hypothyroidism. Cortisol: Inflammation (asthma). Contraceptives: Estrogen/progesterone. GH: Dwarfism. Erythropoietin: Anemia. Challenges: Side effects (weight gain), dependency. Research: Targeted delivery.
20. Integration of systems.
8 Marks Answer: Hypothalamus bridges neural-endocrine. Pituitary tropic links glands. Feedback loops. E.g., Stress: Neural → hypothalamus → ACTH → cortisol. Reproduction: GnRH-LH-FSH-gonads. Digestion: Neural-GI hormones. Ensures holistic response; disruptions systemic diseases.
Practice Tip: Diagrams for glands; link disorders to hormones.