Q32 - Locating the Blood- and Nerve-Dependent Control of the Pituitary

Theoretical A Real exam question - full text reproduced under IBO's CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license

The hypothalamus is the central regulator of homeostasis, whilst diverse hormones from the posterior and anterior pituitary glands orchestrate most bodily functions. To investigate how these three structures coordinate their actions in rats (Rattus norvegicus), each was electrically stimulated, and the effect on hormone secretion from both pituitary glands was observed (1). Secondly, whole rat pituitary glands were transplanted to locations with different blood supplies, to reveal why they usually receive blood from hypothalamic veins (2).

Figure for Q32: Locating the Blood- and Nerve-Dependent Control of the Pituitary

Using the information and data, determine which of the statements are true or which are false.

A. The hypothalamus controls secretion of hormones from both pituitary glands.

B. Hypothalamic blood specifically has factors necessary for the survival of the anterior pituitary.

C. Hypothalamic neurons innervate the posterior pituitary.

D. Hypothalamic hormones cause the posterior pituitary to secrete hormones.

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Question reproduced from IBO 2017, Theoretical Exam A, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 - attributed to the International Biology Olympiad. Open the full exam PDF · Official answer key & worked solutions