ICSE 2019: The diagram given below represents an endocrine gland in the human body.

ICSE 2019:

The diagram given below represents an endocrine gland in the human body. Study the diagram and answer the following questions: [5 marks]

(i) Identify the endocrine gland. Where is it located?

(ii) Why is the above gland referred to as the ‘master gland’?

(iii) Name the hormone which in deficiency causes diabetes insipidus. How does this

disorder differ from diabetes mellitus?

(iv) Explain the term ‘hormone’. What is the role of tropic hormones in the human body?

(v) Which lobe of the above gland secretes

1. Oxytocin    2. ACTH    3. Growth hormone

Solution: 

This question based on Pituitary Gland was asked by ICSE board in the year 2019. The question tested the knowledge of students on the Pituitary gland diagram, location of Pituitary Gland and various hormones secreted by the Pituitary gland, function of hormones and disease caused by the deficiency of the hormones.

Let's begin with solving the above mentioned questions:

ANSWERS:

(i) The endocrine gland is: Pituitary gland

• Location of Pituitary gland: 

Pituitary gland hangs from the base of mid-brain below hypothalamus.

(ii) Pituitary gland is also called as "Master Gland" because it controls all other endocrine glands.

(iii) Diabetes insipidus is caused by deficiency of Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH) or vasopressin which is produced by posterior pituitary.

Diabetes insipidus differs from Diabetes mellitus as Diabetes mellitus is caused due to insufficient insulin in the body and urine contains sugar whereas Diabetes insipidus is caused by deficiency of vasopressin and urine does not contain sugar. 

(iv) Hormones are chemical compounds which are secreted by specific cells or glands in the body directly into the blood and they act on target organ or cells usually away from their source. 

The role of tropic hormones is to stimulate other endocrine glands to produce their specific hormones. For example, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) produced by anterior pituitary stimulates Thyroid to secrete Thyroxine.   

(v) Anterior Lobe: Growth hormone, AdrenoCorticoTropic hormone (ACTH)

Posterior Lobe: Oxytoxin 

Further Reading: