If an autoimmune disorder targets the alpha cells, production of which hormone would be directly affected?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Alpha cells in the pancreatic islets produce glucagon, raising blood glucose via glycogenolysis. An autoimmune attack on them directly reduces glucagon. Somatostatin, from delta cells, inhibits other hormones. Pancreatic polypeptide, from PP cells, regulates digestion. Insulin, from beta cells, lowers glucose type 1 diabetes targets beta, not alpha. Glucagon's alpha-cell origin distinguishes it, key to glucose counterregulation, unlike other islet hormones affected indirectly.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Acromegaly, from pituitary GH excess post-puberty, causes bone thickening true. Addison's affects adrenals, not thyroid; hypothyroidism (low T3/T4) is true but not sole correct; Simmond's is pituitary, not adrenal. Acromegaly's pituitary origin distinguishes it, key to endocrine classification, though C is also true, A matches provided answer.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rapid-acting effects typify neural responses (e.g., milliseconds), not endocrine, where hormones travel via blood (e.g., insulin), causing slow, cyclic changes (e.g., menstrual cycle) via chemical signals. Blood transport enables systemic action, slow effects reflect diffusion and receptor binding, and chemicals (hormones) drive outcomes rapid action contradicts this, distinguishing neural speed from endocrine's prolonged regulation, critical for their distinct roles.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Epinephrine and norepinephrine, from the adrenal medulla, drive fight-or-flight, raising heart rate, glucose, and alertness via sympathetic activation. Insulin/glucagon regulate glucose, not acute stress. Estrogen/progesterone manage reproduction, not emergency responses. Thyroxin (metabolism) and melatonin (sleep) lack rapid stress roles. Catecholamines' swift, systemic effects distinguish them, key to survival responses, unlike metabolic or reproductive hormones.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Gonadal glands (testes, ovaries) differ testes secrete testosterone, ovaries estrogen/progesterone, shaping sex-specific traits. Adrenal (cortisol, aldosterone), parathyroid (PTH), and pancreas (insulin) secretions are sex-agnostic, serving universal functions (stress, calcium, glucose). Gonadal hormone divergence distinguishes them, critical for reproductive dimorphism, unlike consistent outputs.