Endocrine physiology: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Endocrine physiology

Sample item

Why does thyroid hormone increase basal metabolic rate in many tissues?

AIt prevents protein turnover completelyBIt stops sympathetic receptor expressionCIt increases cellular metabolic activity and oxygen consumptionDIt directly blocks all mitochondrial enzymes

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. It increases cellular metabolic activity and oxygen consumption

Thyroid hormone increases basal metabolic activity and oxygen consumption in many tissues, partly by altering gene expression and enhancing responsiveness to catecholamines; excess therefore produces heat intolerance and weight loss.

Option by option

A. It prevents protein turnover completely
Protein turnover continues and may increase in thyrotoxicosis.
B. It stops sympathetic receptor expression
Thyroid hormone tends to enhance rather than stop catecholamine responsiveness.
C. It increases cellular metabolic activity and oxygen consumption (correct)
Correct: thyroid hormone raises cellular metabolic activity and oxygen use.
D. It directly blocks all mitochondrial enzymes
Blocking mitochondrial enzymes would lower rather than raise metabolic rate.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is C, It increases cellular metabolic activity and oxygen consumption. Thyroid hormone increases basal metabolic activity and oxygen consumption in many tissues, partly by altering gene expression and enhancing responsiveness to catecholamines; excess therefore produces heat intolerance and weight loss.

Why is "It prevents protein turnover completely" not the answer?

Protein turnover continues and may increase in thyrotoxicosis.

Why is "It stops sympathetic receptor expression" not the answer?

Thyroid hormone tends to enhance rather than stop catecholamine responsiveness.

Why is "It directly blocks all mitochondrial enzymes" not the answer?

Blocking mitochondrial enzymes would lower rather than raise metabolic rate.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrine physiology in Physiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: thyroid hormone raises cellular metabolic activity and oxygen use.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Endocrine physiology?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.