which organ is responsible for the production of hormones during stress

HESI A2

Anatomy HESI A2 Practice Test

1. Which organ is responsible for the production of hormones during stress?

A. Parathyroid gland
B. Adrenal cortex
C. Posterior pituitary gland
D. Hypothalamus

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The adrenal cortex is the organ responsible for producing stress hormones like cortisol and aldosterone, which play a crucial role in the body's stress response. During stress, the adrenal cortex releases cortisol, a hormone that helps the body deal with stress by increasing blood sugar, suppressing the immune system, and aiding in metabolism. Parathyroid gland is responsible for calcium regulation, the posterior pituitary gland secretes hormones like oxytocin and vasopressin which are not directly related to the stress response, and the hypothalamus plays a role in regulating hormonal balance and various bodily functions but is not primarily responsible for producing stress hormones.

2. What is the primary function of the liver?

A. Detoxifying harmful substances
B. Producing bile
C. Producing insulin
D. Storing glycogen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The primary function of the liver is to detoxify harmful substances in the blood. While the liver also produces bile, which aids in digestion, stores glycogen for energy storage, and participates in metabolism, its main and essential function is detoxification. Producing insulin is mainly attributed to the pancreas, not the liver.

3. How does the nervous system work with the muscular system?

A. The muscles of the body produce chemicals that feed the nerves.
B. The nervous system tells the muscles how to respond to the environment.
C. The nervous system releases chemicals that remove excess waste from the muscles.
D. The muscular system provides input that allows the nerves to make decisions.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the nervous system communicates with the muscular system to control voluntary and involuntary muscle movements. The nervous system sends signals to the muscles, instructing them on how to respond to various stimuli in the environment. This communication allows for coordinated movement and responses to external and internal changes. Choice A is incorrect because muscles do not produce chemicals to feed the nerves. Choice C is incorrect because the nervous system does not release chemicals to remove waste from the muscles. Choice D is incorrect because the muscular system does not provide input for the nerves to make decisions.

4. Which gland is responsible for regulating metabolism and calcium levels?

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

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is the thyroid gland (Choice C). The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism by producing hormones like thyroxine, which control the body's metabolic rate. It also helps in controlling calcium levels in the blood through the release of calcitonin. The pituitary gland (Choice A) is known as the 'master gland' as it controls other glands but is not primarily responsible for regulating metabolism and calcium levels. The adrenal gland (Choice B) produces hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which are involved in the stress response and metabolism, but they do not specifically regulate calcium levels. The pineal gland (Choice D) mainly produces melatonin, a hormone that helps in regulating sleep-wake cycles and has no direct role in metabolism or calcium level regulation.

5. Which hormone is not produced by the pituitary gland?

A. FSH
B. TRH
C. LH
D. ADH

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is not produced by the pituitary gland. TRH is actually produced by the hypothalamus and acts on the pituitary gland to stimulate the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). On the other hand, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), and ADH (antidiuretic hormone) are all hormones directly produced by the pituitary gland.