Endocrinology, Biology 303                         Fall, 2013                        Sample Test Questions                   

Note that for the sample test, there are likely to be more questions than what I have listed, this is designed to give you a sense of the kind of questions that you may find.  Read each of the following questions carefully and select the most appropriate answer. Feel free to ask for clarification if the question is unclear (2 points each out of a possible 100 points). 

1.         How can we characterize hormones that utilize cytoplasmic receptors?  

            a.         they normally have short-term, rapid effects

            b.         they normally work by controlling phosphorylation of cytoplasmic proteins, rather than controlling gene expression

            c.         they function primarily by directly controlling the process of translation in cells

            d.         all of the above

            e.         none of the above 

2.         Hormone secretion is said to be episodic or pulsatile in nature. Which of the following patterns of hormone release are on a 24-hour cycle?  

            a.         circadian

            b.         circhoral

            c.         circatrigian

            d.         circannnual           

3.         The metabolism of fatty acids and adipose tissue is controlled by which hormone(s)? 

            a.         insulin

            b.         oxytocin

            c.         glucagons

            d.         all of the above

            e.         none of the above, multiple hormones cannot control a given metabolic pathway 

4.         Which of the following characterize the “simple” version of the feedback loop between the liver and the pancreas I discussed in class?        

            a.         alpha cells in the pancreas produce glucagon

            b.         liver cells decrease glucose release in response to glucagons

            c.         alpha cells decrease glucagon production in response to low levels of glucose

            d.         all of the above

            e.         none of the above 

5.         We talked about the slime mold, Dictyostelium in class. Which of the following describe the activities of this organism?  

            a.         the differentiation of its cells is under control of the chemicals in the environment

            b.         ammonia was found to stimulate cAMP concentrations

            c.         individual cells come together to form a migrating “grex” in response to ammonia pulses

            d.         all of the above 

6.         Match the different receptor classes which its descriptors 

            _____ adenylate cyclase                                    a. GTP-coupled

            _____ TAF                                                        b. RTK

            _____ PKA                                                        c. JAK/STAT

            _____ phospholipase-C                                      d. cytoplasmic receptor

            _____ cAMP

            _____ IP3/DAG

            _____ autophosphorlyation

            _____ signal transducer and activators of transcription 

 

Briefly define or describe the following terms or concepts (2 points each) 

6.         Cdc2/Cyclin B 

8.         Mixed Function Oxidase 

9.         cDNA 

10.        Coactivators 

11.        Histone Acetyltransferase 

12.        Type I cytoplasmic Receptor 

 

Discussion, answer the following questions as completely as possible in the time available. For all the questions, use a combinations of illustrations and text to answer the question. Feel free to ask for clarification if the intention of the question is unclear (16 points each).  

13.        Compare and contrast the production of a steroid and a protein hormone. Include all the organelles involved.  

14.        Describe the process of cloning a given gene using bacteria.  

15.        Compare and contrast the RTK and JAK/STAT signaling pathways