Cortisol is produced by the:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Cortisol, a glucocorticoid, is produced by adrenal cortex's zona fasciculata stress/metabolism regulation. Medulla makes epinephrine, not steroids. Anterior pituitary releases ACTH, stimulating cortisol, not producing. Pancreas secretes insulin/glucagon glucose focus. Cortex's steroid synthesis distinguishes it, critical for cortisol's role, unlike neural, regulatory, or metabolic glands.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Hormones travel in the bloodstream from endocrine glands (e.g., thyroid) to target tissues (e.g., muscles), enabling systemic effects like metabolism regulation (T3/T4). Nerve fibres and synapses are neural neurotransmitters act locally, not hormonally. Ducts are exocrine (e.g., pancreas digestion), not endocrine hormones are ductless. Diffusion suits paracrine signaling, not distant endocrine targets. Bloodstream transport distinguishes endocrine reach, critical for widespread chemical signaling, unlike neural, exocrine, or local mechanisms.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Kappa cells' aren't pancreatic likely a misnomer; pancreas has acinar (exocrine, digestive juices), alpha (glucagon), beta (insulin), and delta (somatostatin) cells. Acinar produce enzymes, alpha raise glucose, beta lower it, delta regulate. No 'kappa' exists other types (e.g., PP cells) are minor, not listed. Absence of kappa distinguishes it, key to pancreatic cell identity, unlike real endocrine/exocrine types.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Endocrine glands secrete hormones into the bloodstream without ducts (e.g., thyroid), while exocrine glands (e.g., sweat) use ducts not waste-specific, not connectivity-based, nor tissue-type defined (both are epithelial). This ductless trait distinguishes endocrine function, critical for systemic signaling, a foundational NEET concept.