Question

The effects of glucocorticoids include _________. (select all that apply)

	hypertensive
	anti-inflammatory
	growth suppression
	metabolic

If the outer two layers of the adrenal cortex are removed, the patient will experience _________.

	hypernatremia
	hyperkalemia
	hyperglycemia
	decreased epinephrine

Microenvironment is important to cancer progression because _________.

	proliferation of cancer cells occurs only in response to growth factors that bind to receptors on the cell's surface
	cancer cells express tumor-specific antigens that are recognized by other cells
	mediators stop inflammatory cells thereby stopping progression
	surviving cancer cells are less aggressive

Which of the following could be affected during times of very high stress?

	Inflammation
	Substance P (SP)
	Increased blood flow
	Increased protein synthesis

Answer 1

QUESTION 1

Options b, c and d are correct

Justification for correct options:

• Option 'b' is correct because the actions of glucocorticoid are typically described as anti-inflammatory.
• Option 'c' is correct because glucocorticoids exert growth-suppressing effects.
• Option 'd' is correct because the effects of glucocorticoids includes metabolism like the cortisol stimulates processes which increase and maintain glucose concentrations in the blood.

Justification for incorrect options:

• Option 'a' is incorrect because mineralocorticoids can cause hypertension due to excess sodium and water reabsorption but glucocorticoids does not have effect on hypertension.

QUESTION 2

Option 'b' (hyperkalemia) is correct

Justification: The outer two layers of adrenal cortex produce aldosterone and glucocorticoids. When these layers are removed, the deficiency of aldosterone causes hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the body).

Justification for incorrect options:

• Options 'a' and 'c' are incorrect because the outer two layers of adrenal cortex produce aldosterone and glucocorticoids and when these layers are removed, the deficiency of aldosterone and glucocorticoids causes hyponatremia (low sodium level in blood) and hypoglycemia (lower glucose levels) but NOT hypernatremia and hyperglycemia.
• Option 'd' is incorrect because decreased epinephrine occurs only when the adrenal medulla is removed or damaged but not when the outer two layers of adrenal cortex are removed.

QUESTION 3

Option 'a' is correct

Justification: Tumor microenvironment is important because it is a heterogenous mixture of both cancerous and benign cells and this environment supports the initial proliferation of the cancer cells and enlarges the tumor.

Justification for incorrect options:

• Other options (b, c and d) are incorrect because the tumor microenvironment is important for the progression of cancer but not for the stoppage of progression of cancer.

QUESTION 4

Option 'c' (Increased blood flow) is correct

Justification: During stress, body produces a surge of hormones and these hormones increases blood pressure by causing the heart to beat faster. So, very high stress can increase the blood flow.

Justification for incorrect options:

• Option 'a' is incorrect because although inflammation is a response to stress, it is not always caused during the high levels of stress.
• Option 'b' is incorrect because substance p is not affected during high levels of stress.
• Option 'd' is incorrect because stress will not have affect on increased protein synthesis.

Thank you!