Health Education Paper 2 May/June 2015

Question 8

(a)  (i)   Name four endocrine glands in the human body                                [ 4 marks ]
    (ii)  Mention the locations of the endocrine glands named in 8(a)(i)            [ 4 marks ]
     (iii)  Mention one  hormone each produced by the endocrine glands
      named in 8(a)(i)                                                                                     [ 4 marks ]

(b)  State two functions each of the hormones listed below 

- adrenaline;
- thyroxine.

     

(c)  State four characteristics of hormones in humans.                                       [ 4 marks ]

Observation

This question was attempted by many candidates and their performance was good.  In part (a)(i) candidates did well and named endocrine glands in the human body in (ii) and (iii) candidates also correctly mentioned location of  the endocrine glands and the hormone produced by the endocrine glands.  In part (b) candidates could not state functions of the adrenaline and thyroxine hormones.  In part (c) candidates gave wrong answers such as functions of hormones instead of characteristics of hormones in humans.

However,  the  expected answers are as follows:
8(a)(i)  ENDOCRINE GLANDS IN THE HUMAN BODY

  • pineal gland
  • thymus gland
  • thyroid gland
  • pituitary gland
  • ovary gland
  • pancreatic gland/pancreas/pancreatic islet/islet of Langerhans
  • parathyroid gland
  • adrenal gland
  • testis
  •                                                                                      

     

     

        (ii)    LOCATION OF THE ENDOCRINE GLANDS

    ENDOCRINE GLAND

              LOCATION

    -      parathyroid
    -      pineal gland
    -      testis
    -      thymus gland
    -      ovary
    -      pancreatic gland
    -      thyroid gland
    -      pituitary gland
    -      adrenal gland 
    neck/behind the thyroid
    brain/head
    scrotum
    chest
    pelvic cavity
    below the stomach
    neck
    head/brain
    top of the kidney

                                                   

    ENDOCRINE GLAND

              HORMONE PRODUCE

    -      parathyroid
    -      pineal gland
    -      thymus gland
    -      thyroid gland
    -      pituitary gland
    -      adrenal gland
    -      ovary
    -      testis
    -      pancreatic
    Parathyroid hormone, parathyrin 
    melatonin
    thymosin
    thyroxine
    ADH/growth hormone/named e.g.
    adrenalin/glucocorticoid
    oestrogen, progesterone
    testosterone
    insulin, glucagon

                                                     

                     NB:  Do not penalise for non tabulation.

  • FUNCTIONS OF HORMONES
  •  

                (i)   FUNCTION OF ADRENALINE

  • helps regulate metabolism
  • controls the metabolism of food materials
  • constricts blood vessels/increase blood pressure
  • dilates the pupil
  • increase blood sugar level for energy production
  • maintains stability of body state/help stabilize many organs in the body
  • regulates water-mineral balance
  • helps to cope with stressful situations
  • increases rate of breathing/heart beat/anxiety
  • helps to react quickly to emergencies
  •                                                                                               

     

              (ii)          FUNCTIONS OF THYROXINE

    -     regulates metabolism
    -     development of the brain
    -     promotes skeletal growth
    -     prevents development of goitre

                                                                                 
    (c)      CHARACTERISTICS OF HORMONES IN HUMANS

  • it is chemical in nature
  • produced in an organ or gland
  • carried by the blood
  • performs specific function
  • speeds or slows down activity of the target organs
  • produce from ductless glands
  • hormone affect long term changes e.g. growth rate
  •