Endocrine Glands and Their Hormones Quiz

Answer: Oxytocin

The pituitary gland is located in the brain, behind the nose. The pituitary gland is divided into two lobes, the anterior pituitary (in the front part) and the posterior pituitary (in the brain attached to the hypothalamus). Oxytocin plays a great role in the birth of a child by generating contractions in the uterus of the mother. Oxytocin also helps in the production of breast milk.

Answer: Insulin

The pancreas is located in the abdomen, behind the stomach. Insulin is secreted from the beta cells of the pancreas.

The main function of insulin is helping in the intake of glucose to the cells for metabolism. A deficiency of insulin causes diabetes mellitus. Since the insulin level is decreased, glucose is not taken in by the cells and the glucose level in the blood increases.

Answer: Epinephrine

The adrenal gland is an endocrine gland located on the upper part of both of the kidneys. Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is secreted from the medulla part of the adrenal gland.

Adrenaline is also called the fight or flight hormone as it triggers the body functions during an emergency. It's the rush of adrenaline that makes you feel jumpy when you have a sudden shock.

Answer: Thyroxine

The thyroid is a gland located in the neck region of the body. Thyroxine is the main hormone secreted from the thyroid gland. Thyroxine is the inactive form which is converted into triiodothyronine (its active form) by other organs including the liver or kidneys.

Thyroxine plays a major role in maintenance of the body's metabolism.

Answer: Parathormone

The parathyroid gland is located on the dorsal surface of the thyroid gland. There are two pairs of parathyroid glands present in the body.

Parathormone, or the parathyroid hormone, plays a role in maintaining blood calcium levels. Parathormone increases the level of blood calcium in the body. It has a counterpart in calcitonin, a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. Calcitonin decreases the blood calcium levels in the body. These two hormones regulate calcium levels in the body.

Answer: Testosterone

The testes are contained inside the scrotum, located outside the body behind the penis, and are the primary sex organ of the male human body. Testosterone is the male sex hormone as well as an anabolic steroid.

The main function of testosterone is the promotion of masculine characteristics at puberty, such as increases in muscle and bones and growing hair on the body.

Answer: Oestrogen

The ovaries are the primary sex organs in the female human body. Females have a pair of ovaries located in the lower abdomen. Apart from oestrogen, ovaries also secrete progesterone and relaxin.

Progesterone and oestrogen develop the secondary sexual characters in females such as development of breasts. Progesterone and oestrogen also play a major role in the maintenance of the menstrual cycle.

Answer: Thymosin

The thymus gland is a gland located in the thoracic (chest) region of the body. Thymosin is the only hormone secreted from the thymus.

Thymosin helps in the production and development of T-lymphocytic cells. T-lymphocytes are the cells used by the body's immune system in fighting against diseases.

The size of the thymus starts shrinking after puberty. By the time humans reach old age, no more T-lymphocytes are produced making old people more susceptible to illness.

Answer: Growth hormone

The growth hormone is synthesized and secreted by the anterior part of the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain. The main function of growth hormone is the stimulation of growth of all the tissues of the body. This includes bone and cartilage. The pituitary is one of the most important endocrine glands, and produces several other hormones.

Answer: Melatonin

The pineal gland is a small gland located in the brain of the human body. Melatonin is the only hormone secreted from the pineal gland. The main function of the pineal gland is the maintenance of the wake/sleep cycle of the body.