Q40. Which of these is a principal female sex hormone?
[BPSC 66th Preliminary Examination, 2020]
(A) Oestrogen
(B) Androgen
(C) Insulin
(D) Oxytocin
Answer: (A) Oestrogen
Explanation: Oestrogens are primarily produced by ovarian follicles and support reproductive-organ development, secondary sexual characteristics and regulation of the menstrual cycle. Other listed hormones have different principal roles, although both sexes naturally produce some oestrogens and androgens.
Q39. Deficiency or ineffective action of insulin is associated with which disorder?
[SSC CHSL, 12 October 2020, Shift 1]
(A) Scleroderma
(B) Multiple sclerosis
(C) Rheumatoid arthritis
(D) Diabetes mellitus
Answer: (D) Diabetes mellitus
Explanation: Diabetes mellitus is characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia arising from insufficient insulin secretion, impaired insulin action, or both. Type 1 diabetes usually involves autoimmune beta-cell destruction, whereas type 2 commonly combines insulin resistance with progressive secretory dysfunction.
Q38. Which human organ functions as both an endocrine and an exocrine gland?
[UPPSC PCS Preliminary Examination 2019]
(A) Adrenal gland
(B) Lacrimal gland
(C) Pancreas
(D) Thyroid gland
Answer: (C) Pancreas
Explanation: Pancreatic islets release insulin, glucagon and other hormones directly into blood. Separately, acinar cells produce digestive enzymes that travel through ducts to the small intestine. This dual secretory role explains why the pancreas is called a mixed gland.
Q37. Which cells secrete androgen hormones in human males?
[MPPSC State Service Preliminary Examination 2019]
(A) Sertoli cells
(B) Leydig cells
(C) Germinal cells
(D) Mucus cells
Answer: (B) Leydig cells
Explanation: Leydig cells lie between the seminiferous tubules in the testes and secrete testosterone under luteinising-hormone stimulation. Sertoli cells support sperm development and release inhibin B. Testosterone contributes to male reproductive function and secondary sexual characteristics.
Q36. Which hormone contains iodine as a constituent of its molecule?
[BPSC 65th Preliminary Examination 2019]
(A) Testosterone
(B) Adrenaline
(C) Thyroxine
(D) Insulin
Answer: (C) Thyroxine
Explanation: Thyroxine, also called T4, is formed by iodination of tyrosine residues in thyroglobulin. Its molecule contains four iodine atoms. Insulin is a peptide hormone, testosterone is a steroid, and adrenaline is a catecholamine without iodine.
Q35. Choose the odd one out: hormone, insulin, thyroxine, adrenaline.
[SSC CHSL, 9 July 2019, Shift 1]
(A) Hormone
(B) Insulin
(C) Thyroxine
(D) Adrenaline
Answer: (A) Hormone
Explanation: Insulin, thyroxine and adrenaline are individual hormones with identifiable glandular origins and actions. Hormone is the general class containing all three. Insulin lowers blood glucose; thyroxine controls metabolism; adrenaline mediates rapid stress responses.
Q34. Which was the first human hormone produced commercially through recombinant DNA technology?
[RPSC Senior Teacher Grade II Science, 1 July 2017]
(A) Insulin
(B) Oestrogen
(C) Thyroxine
(D) Progesterone
Answer: (A) Insulin
Explanation: Recombinant human insulin was an early major application of genetic engineering and was approved for therapeutic use in 1982. Genetically modified microorganisms can manufacture human insulin, avoiding reliance on extraction from animal pancreases and reducing some compatibility concerns.
Q33. What is the hormone secreted by the thymus gland called?
[SSC CGL, 10 August 2017, Shift 2]
(A) Thyroxine
(B) Auxin
(C) Cytokinin
(D) Thymosin
Answer: (D) Thymosin
Explanation: The thymus supports the development and selection of T lymphocytes involved in immune defence. Thymic hormones, including thymosin-related peptides, help regulate lymphocyte maturation. The gland is prominent during childhood and undergoes involution after puberty.
Q32. Insulin belongs to which broad class of chemical messengers?
[SSC CGL, 10 August 2017, Shift 3]
(A) Hormones
(B) Digestive enzymes
(C) Vitamins
(D) Mineral salts
Answer: (A) Hormones
Explanation: Insulin is a peptide hormone secreted by pancreatic beta cells. It carries information from the pancreas to target tissues through the blood, facilitating glucose storage and utilisation. Although it is also chemically a protein, its physiological role is hormonal.
Q31. Which of the following are major ovarian sex hormones: (i) oestrogen, (ii) progesterone, (iii) testosterone?
[SSC CGL, 12 August 2017, Shift 3]
(A) (i) and (iii) only
(B) (i) and (ii) only
(C) (ii) and (iii) only
(D) (iii) only
Answer: (B) (i) and (ii) only
Explanation: Oestrogen and progesterone are the two principal ovarian hormones emphasised in school-level biology. They regulate female secondary sexual characteristics, menstrual changes and support for pregnancy. Testosterone is also present in females, but is primarily classified as an androgen.
