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Question 1
Incorrect
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Select the correct statement about the microanatomy of the thyroid gland.
Your Answer: Each follicle is lined by two layers of epithelial cells.
Correct Answer: The capillaries adjacent to thyroid cells have a fenestrated endothelium.
Explanation:Fenestrated capillaries have a very thin endothelium, which is perforated by numerous fenestrations or pores. Hormones are usually released into these capillaries, reaching their target cells through the circulatory system.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 2
Incorrect
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What is pendrin?
Your Answer: Na+/Cl- antiporter
Correct Answer: Cl-/i- antiporter
Explanation:Pendrin is an anion exchange transporter; it is a sodium-independent chloride-iodine exchanger which also accepts formate and bicarbonate. It is present in many different types of cells in the body, particularly the inner ear, thyroid, and kidney. Mutations in pendrin are associated with Pendred syndrome, which causes syndromic deafness and thyroid disease.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 3
Correct
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Which one of the following features is least associated with primary hyperparathyroidism?
Your Answer: Sensory loss
Explanation:The signs and symptoms of primary hyperparathyroidism are those of hypercalcemia. They are classically summarized by stones, bones, abdominal groans, thrones and psychiatric overtones.
Stones refers to kidney stones, nephrocalcinosis, and diabetes insipidus (polyuria and polydipsia). These can ultimately lead to renal failure.
Bones refers to bone-related complications: osteitis fibrosa cystica, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, and arthritis.
Abdominal groans refers to gastrointestinal symptoms of constipation, indigestion, nausea and vomiting. Hypercalcemia can lead to peptic ulcers and acute pancreatitis.
Thrones refers to polyuria and constipation
Psychiatric overtones refers to effects on the central nervous system. Symptoms include lethargy, fatigue, depression, memory loss, psychosis, ataxia, delirium, and coma.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 4
Correct
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Which of the following increase insulin secretion?
Your Answer: Sulfonylureas
Explanation:Sulfonylureas are a type of antidiabetic drug used to treat diabetes mellitus type 2. Their main mechanism of action is producing a rise in plasma insulin levels, through stimulation of insulin secretion and a decrease in hepatic clearance of insulin. Sulfonylureas include gliclazide, glipizide, glibenclamide and glimepiride.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 5
Incorrect
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Select a factor which stimulates glucagon secretion.
Your Answer: Glucose
Correct Answer: Protein meal
Explanation:Several studies have shown that glucagon levels are increased in individuals with a high protein diet. It is still debated, however, whether this type of diet affects insulin levels as well.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 6
Incorrect
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In terms of relative steroid potency, how much prednisone is equivalent to 100mg hydrocortisone?
Your Answer: 50mg
Correct Answer: 25mg
Explanation:Different corticosteroids have varying degrees of potency. 1 mg of prednisone is equivalent to 4 mg of hydrocortisone. Therefore, 25 mg of prednisone are equivalent to 100 mg of hydrocortisone.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 7
Incorrect
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The residual cleft of the intermediate lobe of the pituitary is lined by follicles resembling which human gland?
Your Answer: Adrenal cortex
Correct Answer: Thyroid
Explanation:The cells located between the two main pituitary lobes form what is known as the intermediate pituitary. This area secretes melanocyte-stimulating hormone and it is only a few cell layers thick. It is rich in follicles filled with colloid, and lined by basophilic cells. This configuration resembles that of another important gland: the thyroid.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 8
Correct
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Choose the most correct missing words to complete the statement: A portion of circulating growth hormone is bound to the ____ receptor and activates the ____ pathway that mediates its effect.
Your Answer: Growth hormone receptor (extracellular domain), jak 2stat
Explanation:The growth hormone receptor is a transmembrane protein involved in the STATs, MAPK and PI3-kinase/Akt pathways. The JAK-STAT signalling pathway is activated by different ligands, such as growth hormone, interferon and interleukin. This pathway is involved in the expression of genes associated with oncogenesis, immunity, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Errors in these pathways can produce leukaemia’s and other myeloproliferative disorders.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 9
Incorrect
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In the absence of insulin:
Your Answer: Intestinal absorption of glucose is reduced
Correct Answer: Glucose uptake by most of the brain is normal
Explanation:Although it is known that insulin levels affect glucose uptake, oxidation and storage in peripheral tissues, its role in the brain isn’t as clear. However, studies have shown that bulk brain glucose uptake isn’t affected by insulin. Glucose transport into the neurons is GLUT3 dependent, and its transport into glia and brain endothelial cells rely on GLUT1. Insulin isn’t necessary for GLUT1 or GLUT3, which explains why brain glucose uptake isn’t affected by insulin levels.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 10
Correct
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Where does the anterior pituitary receive most of its blood supply?
Your Answer: Portal hypophysial vessels
Explanation:The anterior pituitary receives its arterial supply from the superior hypophyseal artery, which is a branch of the internal carotid that forms a capillary around the hypothalamus; thus forming the hypothalamo-hypophysial portal system.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 11
Incorrect
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Which enzyme is responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone?
Your Answer: 11β-hydroxylase
Correct Answer: 5α-reductase
Explanation:The enzyme 5α-reductase synthesizes DHT from testosterone in the prostate, testes, hair follicles, and adrenal glands. This enzyme reduces the 4,5 double-bond of the testosterone. Relative to testosterone, DHT is much more potent as an agonist of the androgen receptor.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 12
Incorrect
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Pendrin is a Cl-/I- exchanger whose function is:
Your Answer: Uptake of iodide across the basolateral membrane into the thyrocyte
Correct Answer: Transfer of iodide across the thyrocyte apical membrane into the colloid
Explanation:Pendrin is an anion transporter present in the inner ear, thyroid and kidney. It regulates the entrance of iodide from the thyroid cell to the colloid space. It has been proposed that its role could be the maintenance of the ionic composition of the endolymph.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 13
Incorrect
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Which of the following is not a feature of Liddle’s syndrome?
Your Answer: Alkalosis
Correct Answer: Autosomal recessive inheritance
Explanation:Liddle’s syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by early, and frequently severe, high blood pressure associated with low plasma renin activity, metabolic alkalosis, low blood potassium, and normal to low levels of aldosterone. Liddle syndrome involves abnormal kidney function, with excess reabsorption of sodium and loss of potassium from the renal tubule, and is treated with a combination of low sodium diet and potassium-sparing diuretic drugs (e.g., amiloride).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 14
Incorrect
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Which of the following forms one of the characteristic and functional cells making up the anterior pituitary gland?
Your Answer: Astrocyte
Correct Answer: Corticotrope
Explanation:The anterior pituitary, also known as adenohypophysis or pars anterior contains the following types of cells: – acidophil cells: somatotroph cells, which produce growth hormone; and lactotrophs, which produce prolactin- basophil cells: corticotropes, which produce adrenocorticotropic hormone; thyrotropes, which produce thyroid stimulating hormone; and – gonadotrophs, which produce luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 15
Correct
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Which of the following stimulates glucagon release?
Your Answer: Exercise
Explanation:Studies have shown a small increase in glucagon levels during stress tests and exercise. This occurs in response to the reduction of blood glucose levels during physical activity; epinephrine levels are also a stimulus for the release of glucagon during exercise, since it suppresses insulin, which accounts for its stimulatory effects on glucagon. The use of stored fats for energy during exercise also stimulates the release of glucagon.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 16
Incorrect
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Which of the following features is least commonly seen in Gitelman’s syndrome?
Your Answer: Hypocalciuria
Correct Answer: Hypertension
Explanation:Gitelman syndrome is an autosomal recessive kidney disorder characterized by hypokalaemia metabolic alkalosis with hypocalciuria, and hypomagnesemia. In contrast to patients with Gordon’s syndrome, those suffering from Gitelman’s syndrome are generally normotensive or hypotensive.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 17
Incorrect
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Which of the following derivatives of proopiomelanocortin is an opioid peptide?
Your Answer: Melanotropins
Correct Answer: ß-endorphin
Explanation:ß-endorphin is an endogenous opioid neuropeptide which is mainly synthesized and stored in the anterior pituitary gland, derived from the precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC). Some studies have shown that immune system cells are also capable of synthesizing ß-endorphin. β-endorphin is thought to exert a tonic inhibitory influence upon GNRH secretion and to be an important regulator of reproductive function.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 18
Incorrect
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What is the most important way in which heat is lost from the body?
Your Answer: Vaporisation of sweat
Correct Answer: Radiation and conduction
Explanation:The body maintains a constant core temperature by balancing heat loss and heat gain. The mechanisms of heat loss are: radiation, evaporation, convection and conduction. Out of these mechanisms, the most important under normal conditions are radiation, through which body heat is given off to the surrounding atmosphere; and conduction, in which the body releases heat into the objects it comes into contact with.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 19
Incorrect
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Which of the following may be a feature of primary hyperaldosteronism?
Your Answer: Hyponatraemia
Correct Answer: Muscular weakness
Explanation:Primary hyperaldosteronism or Conn’s syndrome is characterised by hypertension which may cause poor vision or headaches. Occasionally there may be muscular weakness, muscle spasms, tingling sensations, or excessive urination. Complications include cardiovascular disease such as stroke, myocardial infarction, kidney failure, and abnormal heart rhythms.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 20
Correct
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Growth hormone deficiency causes?
Your Answer: Decreased epiphyseal growth
Explanation:Growth hormone deficiency is caused by conditions affecting the pituitary gland, such as tumours. Its effects depend on the age of the patient: in infancy and childhood, growth failure is most likely to occur. The epiphyseal plate is the area in long bones where growth occurs, and it is the area affected by growth hormone deficiency. Poor growth/shortness is the main symptom of GH deficiency in children, usually resulting in growth at about half the usual rate for age.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 21
Incorrect
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In the microanatomy of the pituitary gland, the pituicytes present are in fact modified forms of which cells?
Your Answer: Stem cells
Correct Answer: Astrocytes
Explanation:Pituicytes are glial cells present in the pars nervosa, the posterior pituitary gland. Their irregular shape resembles that of astrocytes, and their cytoplasm also has intermediate filaments. They differ from astrocytes in that they have large cytoplasmic lipid droplets.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 22
Incorrect
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The growth promoting protein anabolic effects of insulin are mediated by:
Your Answer: C peptide
Correct Answer: Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase
Explanation:Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase or PI-3Ks are a group of enzymes which are involved in a number of different cellular functions. PI-3Ks interact with insulin and the insulin receptor substrate, regulating glucose uptake. They are an important element in the insulin signalling pathway.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 23
Incorrect
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To which protein is T3 mostly bound in the serum?
Your Answer: Albumin
Correct Answer: Thyroxin-binding globulin
Explanation:In a normal person, approximately 0.03 per cent of the total serum T4, and 0.3 per cent of the total serum T3 are present in free or unbound form. The major serum thyroid hormone-binding proteins are: 1) thyroxine-binding globulin [TBG or thyropexin], 2) transthyretin [TTR or thyroxine-binding prealbumin (TBPA)], and 3) albumin (HAS, human serum albumin). TBG has highest affinity for T4, which is 50-fold higher than that of TTR and 7,000-fold higher that of HSA. As a result TBG binds 75% of serum T4, while TTR and HSA binds only 20% and Albumin 5%, respectively.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 24
Incorrect
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The net effect of parathyroid hormone on calcium and phosphate homeostasis is?
Your Answer: Decrease in Ca, increase in phosphate
Correct Answer: Increase in Ca, decrease in phosphate
Explanation:Parathyroid hormone’s main target organs are the kidneys, bone, and intestine. In the kidney, it decreases reabsorption of phosphate and increases calcium reabsorption. It also promotes absorption of calcium from bone. PTH release results in a small drop in serum phosphate concentrations.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 25
Incorrect
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Which glucose transporter is responsible for the uptake of glucose in ß cells?
Your Answer: GLUT 1
Correct Answer: GLUT 2
Explanation:Glucose transporter 2, also known as GLUT2 is a transmembrane carrier protein which is not insulin dependent. It is found in the liver and the pancreatic islet ß cells, where it functions as the primary glucose transporter that allows the transfer of glucose between these organs and blood.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 26
Correct
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Which cell secretes parathyroid hormone?
Your Answer: Chief cells
Explanation:Parathyroid chief cells, also known as parathyroid principal cells or parathyroid cells, are the most prevalent type of cell in the parathyroid gland and the only ones present at birth. They secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 27
Correct
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What is the principle site of action of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)?
Your Answer: Adrenal gland
Explanation:Adrenocorticotropic hormone, also known as ACTH or corticotropin, is a polypeptide tropic hormone. It is synthesized by the corticotropic cells of the anterior pituitary. It works by regulating the secretion of glucocorticoid hormones from the cortex cells in the adrenal gland. It binds to the melanocortin (MC) 2 receptors on the surface of the adrenal zona glomerulosa cells, producing cortisol.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 28
Incorrect
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Endotoxin will typically act on which one of the following cells, to produce endogenous pyrogens?
Your Answer: Neutrophils
Correct Answer: Monocytes
Explanation:Endotoxin, also known as lipopolysaccharides or lipoglycans, are molecules that consist of a lipid and a polysaccharide. They bind to many cell types, but especially to monocytes, promoting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, acting as a pyrogen.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 29
Incorrect
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As assessed by immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy, the anterior pituitary gland contains how many different types of cells?
Your Answer: 8
Correct Answer: 5
Explanation:The pituitary is divided into three sections
-the anterior lobe which constitute the majority of the pituitary mass and is composed primarily of five hormone-producing cell types (thyrotropes, lactotropes, corticotropes, somatotropes and gonadotropes) each secreting thyrotropin, prolactin, ACTH, growth hormone and gonadotropins (FSH and LH) respectively.
There is also a sixth cell type in the anterior lobe -the non-endocrine, agranular, folliculostellate cells.
The intermediate lobe produces melanocyte-stimulating hormone and endorphins, whereas the posterior lobe secretes anti-diuretic hormone (vasopressin) and oxytocin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 30
Incorrect
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On which chromosome is the gene for insulin located?
Your Answer: Chromosome 6
Correct Answer: Chromosome 11
Explanation:Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, and usually, two pairs of copies of chromosome 11. It is one of the most complex, gene-rich chromosomes in the human genome, and it is associated with a number of diseases. Studies have shown they the human insulin gene is located on the short arm of chromosome 11.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
