Endocrine System and Adolescence — Important Questions

Medulla of the adrenal gland

Step 1: The adrenal gland has two distinct parts — the outer cortex and the inner medulla. Step 2: The medulla (inner part) secretes adrenaline, which is also called epinephrine or the 'emergency hormone'. Step 3: The cortex (outer part) secretes hormones like cortisol, which regulate metabolism and the body's response to stress like extreme heat or cold. Step 4: Islets of Langerhans are present in the pancreas and secrete insulin and glucagon — not adrenaline. Step 5: Thyroid follicles are part of the thyroid gland. So only the medulla of the adrenal gland produces adrenaline.

It prepares the body to face or escape from an emergency situation

Step 1: Adrenaline is released when a person is under stress, fear, or anger. Step 2: This hormone quickly prepares the body for action — it increases heart beat, speeds up breathing, raises blood pressure, and releases extra glucose into the blood. Step 3: All these changes give the body extra energy and strength to either face the danger (fight) or run away from it (flight). Step 4: This is why it is called the 'fight or flight hormone' — it helps you deal with emergencies. Step 5: It does NOT control blood sugar during meals (that is insulin's job), does not help digestion, and does not sti

Islets of Langerhans

Step 1: The pancreas is mainly a digestive gland that produces digestive enzymes. Step 2: However, it also has a special cluster of cells called the Islets of Langerhans that function as endocrine tissue. Step 3: These cells secrete two important hormones — insulin and glucagon — which regulate blood sugar levels. Step 4: Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs, not related to the pancreas. Step 5: Thyroid follicles are in the thyroid gland. So Islets of Langerhans is the correct answer for the hormone-secreting part of the pancreas.

Diabetes mellitus

Step 1: Insulin is the hormone that lowers blood sugar (glucose) levels. It converts extra glucose to glycogen and helps cells use glucose for energy. Step 2: When insulin is not secreted in sufficient amounts, glucose is not properly regulated and builds up in the blood. Step 3: This condition of high blood sugar is called diabetes mellitus. Step 4: A diabetic person excretes sugar in urine, feels very thirsty, loses weight, and becomes weak. Step 5: Goitre and myxoedema are caused by thyroid problems, and cretinism is due to thyroxine deficiency in infants — none of these are related to insu