Exercise 4: Endocrine System Physiology: Activity 4: Measuring Cortisol and Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Lab Report

Pre-lab Quiz Results

You have not completed the Pre-lab Quiz.

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Experiment Results
Stop & Think Questions:
Normally high levels of cortisol would inhibit release of
You correctly answered: c. both ACTH and CRH

Which hormone(s) stimulate(s) the pituitary gland to release ACTH?

You correctly answered: a. CRH

Experiment Data:

Patient Cortisol High/Low ACTH High/Low

(mcg/dl) (pg/ml)
1 2.02 Low 19.68 Low
2 38.98 High 13.71 Low
3 47.15 High 89.36 High
4 2.80 Low 101.78 High
5 49.00 High 18.94 Low

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Post-lab Quiz Results
You scored 33% by answering 2 out of 6 questions correctly.

1. Under normal conditions, if the amount of secreted CRH increases, then

You correctly answered: c. the amount of secreted ACTH will increase.

2. Under normal conditions, if the amount of secreted ACTH increases, then

Your answer: c. a diagnosis of Addison's disease is likely.
Correct answer: d. the amount of secreted CRH will likely decrease.

3. Under normal conditions, if the amount of secreted cortisol increases, then

Your answer: c. a diagnosis of Addison's disease is likely.
Correct answer: b. the amount of secreted ACTH will likely decrease.

4. If a hypersecreting pituitary tumor develops, then an expected outcome is

Your answer: b. abnormally low levels of ACTH because of negative feedback.
Correct answer: a. a diagnosis of Cushing's disease.

5. If a hypersecreting adrenal cortex tumor develops, then an expected outcome is

Your answer: a. a diagnosis of Cushing's disease.
Correct answer: b. abnormally low levels of CRH due to negative feedback.

6. A patient's chart lists the diagnosis of Addison's disease. Therefore, you expect
You correctly answered: b. abnormally high levels of ACTH.

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Review Sheet Results
1. Which patient would most likely be diagnosed with Cushing's disease (view Table 4.1 in Experiment Results)? Why?
You did not answer this question.

2. Which two patients have hormone levels characteristic of Cushing's syndrome (view Table 4.1 in Experiment Results)?
You did not answer this question.

3. Patient 2 is being treated for rheumatoid arthritis with prednisone. How does this information change the diagnosis (view
Table 4.1 in Experiment Results)?
You did not answer this question.

4. Which patient would most likely be diagnosed with Addison's disease (view Table 4.1 in Experiment Results)? Why?
You did not answer this question.

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