Endocrine System and Adolescence
Cortisone hormone is secreted by :
- Medulla of adrenal
- Cortex of adrenal
- Pancreas
- Thyroid
Answer
Cortex of adrenal
Reason — The adrenal cortex secretes Cortisone.
Which one of the following hormones stimulates the breakdown of glycogen in the liver into glucose?
- Insulin
- Adrenaline
- Glucagon
- Thyroxine
Answer
Glucagon
Reason — Glucagon stimulates the breakdown of glycogen in the liver to glucose.
Which one of the following hormones converts excess of glucose into glycogen
- Glucagon
- Thyroxine
- Insulin
- Adrenaline
Answer
Insulin
Reason — Insulin converts extra glucose to glycogen which is ultimately stored in the liver and muscles.
Which one of the following glands is also called the master gland :
- Pituitary gland
- Adrenal gland
- Thyroid gland
- Ovary
Answer
Pituitary gland
Reason — Pituitary gland regulates the activity of other endocrine glands. So, it is also called the "master gland".
The emergency hormone to face the danger or to fight is secreted by:
- Islets of Langerhans
- Adrenal cortex
- Pituitary
- Adrenal medulla
Answer
Adrenal medulla
Reason — Adrenaline hormone is also called the "fight or flight hormone". It is secreted by Adrenal medulla.
Which one of the following endocrine glands produces its hormone in large quantities as a result of emotional stimulation?
- Thyroid
- Islets of Langerhans
- Adrenal medulla
- Adrenal cortex
Answer
Adrenal medulla
Reason — Adrenal medulla secretes adrenaline (also called epinephrine or emergency hormone). This hormone is secreted when a person is under severe stress (physical or emotional).
In humans, increased thyroxine production results in:
- Increased metabolism
- Decreased metabolism
- Dwarfism
- Cretinism
Answer
Increased metabolism
Reason — Oversecretion of thyroxine causes an increased metabolic rate.
Match the items in Column A with those in Column B.
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| Cretinism | Pituitary Gland |
| Diabetes Mellitus | Abnormal development of infant |
| Increased metabolic rate | Oversecretion of thyroxine |
| Simple goitre | Insufficient iodine in food |
| Growth hormone | Insufficient insulin in blood |
Answer
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| Cretinism | Abnormal development of infant |
| Diabetes Mellitus | Insufficient insulin in blood |
| Increased metabolic rate | Oversecretion of thyroxine |
| Simple goitre | Insufficient iodine in food |
| Growth hormone | Pituitary gland |
Define Endocrine glands.
Answer
Endocrine glands are ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.
Define Cretinism.
Answer
Cretinism is a condition resulting from a deficiency of thyroid hormone in fetal or early life, characterized by intellectual disability, short stature and mental retardation.
Define Glucagon.
Answer
Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas which raises the concentration of glucose by breaking glycogen in the liver.
Define Adolescence.
Answer
The period of life, when the body undergoes changes, leading to reproductive maturity, is called adolescence. In other words, adolescence is transitional phase of growth and development between childhood and adulthood.
Define Puberty.
Answer
Puberty is the period during which immature reproductive system in boys and girls matures and becomes capable of reproduction.
Define Hormone
Answer
Hormone is a regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids such as blood to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action.
In table given below, fill in the blanks by naming endocrine glands, the hormones they secrete, and the function they perform, in a normal person.
| S.No. | Name of the gland | Hormone produced | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Thyroid | ............... | ............... |
| 2. | ............... | Insulin | ............... |
| 3. | ............... | ............... | Prepares the body for action |
| 4. | ............... | Growth Hormone | ............... |
Answer
| S.No | Name of the gland | Hormone produced | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Thyroid | Thyroxine | Control of metabolic rate |
| 2. | Pancreas | Insulin | Regulation of sugar in blood. |
| 3. | Adrenal Medulla | Adrenaline | Prepares the body for action |
| 4. | Pituitary | Growth Hormone | Speeds up growth |
Write the exact locations of the following :
(a) Thyroid gland
(b) Adrenal gland
(c) Pancreas
(d) Pituitary gland
(e) Adam's apple
Answer
(a) Thyroid gland — The thyroid gland is located on either side of the wind pipe, just below the larynx.
(b) Adrenal gland — The adrenal glands are located on top of each kidney like caps.
(c) Pancreas — The pancreas is located behind the stomach.
(d) Pituitary gland — The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain, below the hypothalamus.
(e) Adam's apple — The Adam's apple is located in the protruding part of the throat.
Name the source and the function of each of the following hormones:
| Hormone | Source | Function | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | Glucagon | ............... | ............... |
| (b) | Thyroxine | ............... | ............... |
| (c) | Adrenaline | ............... | ............... |
| (d) | Insulin | ............... | ............... |
| (e) | Cortisone | ............... | ............... |
Answer
| Hormone | Source | Function | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | Glucagon | Pancreas | Breakdown of glycogen to glucose. Raises sugar in the blood. |
| (b) | Thyroxine | Thyroid gland | Control of metabolic Rate . |
| (c) | Adrenaline | Adrenal Medulla | Prepare the body to face emergency, stress. |
| (d) | Insulin | Pancreas | Regulation of sugar in blood. |
| (e) | Cortisone | Adrenal cortex | Influence carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Regulate the salt and water balance in the body. |
Distinguish between the following pair on the basis of the words indicated in the brackets.
Exocrine and Endocrine glands (secretion)
Answer
Difference between Exocrine and Endocrine glands on the basis of secretion:
| Characteristic | Exocrine glands | Endocrine glands |
|---|---|---|
| Secretion | Exocrine glands secrete their products like sweat, enzyme, mucus, sebum, saliva, milk, etc. into ducts. | Endocrine glands secrete their products, known as hormones, directly into the bloodstream. |
Distinguish between the following pair on the basis of the words indicated in the brackets.
Cretinism and Myxoedema (symptoms)
Answer
Difference between Cretinism and Myxoedema on the basis of symptoms:
| Characteristic | Cretinism | Myxoedema |
|---|---|---|
| Symptoms | Cretinism occurs in infants resulting in physical and mental retardation. | Myxoedema occurs in adults and is characterised by symptoms such as sluggishness with swelling on face and hands. |
Distinguish between the following pair on the basis of the words indicated in the brackets.
Insulin and Glucagon (function)
Answer
Difference between Insulin and Glucagon on the basis of function:
| Characteristic | Insulin | Glucagon |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Insulin lowers blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells and its conversion to glycogen in the liver and muscles. | Glucagon raises blood glucose levels by promoting the conversion of glycogen back to glucose in the liver and muscles. |
Distinguish between the following pair on the basis of the words indicated in the brackets.
Thyroxine and adrenaline (source)
Answer
Difference between Thyroxine and Adrenaline on the basis of source:
| Characteristic | Thyroxine | Adrenaline |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Thyroxine is produced by the thyroid gland. | Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands. |
Distinguish between the following pair on the basis of the words indicated in the brackets.
Human male and female hormone (one example of each)
Answer
Difference between Human male and female hormone on the basis of one example of each:
| Characteristic | Human male hormone | Human female hormone |
|---|---|---|
| One example | A common male hormone is testosterone. | An example of a female hormone is estrogen. |
Give reason/explain — Pituitary gland is considered as the "master gland".
Answer
Pituitary gland secretes some hormones that regulate the activity of other endocrine glands. So, the pituitary gland is also called the "master gland".
Give reason/explain — Epinephrine is also called as the 'emergency hormone'.
Answer
Epinephrine (also called adrenaline) is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. This hormone prepares the body to meet any emergency situation i.e., to face the danger or flee from a situation. Hence it is called the 'fight or flight hormone' or the 'emergency hormone'.
Draw neat and labelled diagrams of the thyroid gland showing its :
(a) Front view
(b) Back view
Answer
(a) Below labelled diagram shows the front view of the thyroid gland:
(b) Below labelled diagram shows the back view of the thyroid gland:
Briefly write about the importance of physical hygiene during adolescence.
Answer
Physical hygiene plays a very important role in maintaining one's own health during adolescence. Following are some important practices for maintaining physical hygiene:
- Proper and safe food:
- To support rapid growth and development during adolescence, an adolescent should take a balanced diet including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Milk, fruits and fresh vegetables should be part of the regular diet.
- Avoid stale food and excessive fast food.
- Perishable food items should be properly stored in refrigerator.
- Proper lifestyle:
- Avoid long hours of continuous table work.
- Avoid watching television and playing computer games for long hours.
- Avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol and drugs.
- Cleanliness:
- Washing hands with soap before and after meals, brushing teeth, taking regular bath, regular toilet habits should be followed.
- Clothes, especially undergarments should be changed daily. Wearing very tight clothes should be avoided.
- Eyes should be washed daily with clean and cold water. Rubbing of eyes with hands should be avoided to prevent entry of germs.
- Lack of cleanliness may lead to bacterial infection. Girls should take special care of cleanliness during the time of their menstrual cycle.
- Physical Exercise:
- All young boys and girls should walk, exercise and play outdoor games regularly.
- Physical activity is important to combat the stress and strain of adolescence.
Briefly discuss any four activities which can be practiced to overcome stress.
Answer
Four activities which can be practiced to overcome stress are:
- Yoga — Yoga is a mind body practice that combines physical poses, controlled breathing and meditation or relaxation. It helps to reduce stress with:
- Increased flexibility.
- Increased muscle strength and tone.
- Improved respiration, energy and vitality.
- Weight reduction.
- Improved athletic performance.
- Exercise — Just 30 to 45 minutes of exercise at least three times a week can make one feel much healthier. Regular exercise can be done by running/jogging, swimming, cricket, football, hockey, etc.
- Proper sleep schedule — Sound and timely sleep helps one to reduce the level of stress.
- Reading — It is a great way to calm the mind and to gain knowledge.