Adrenal Cortex and Medulla
- Previous year questions on Adrenal Cortex and Medulla for NEET PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Postgraduate), from the Physiology section of the exam.
- Most questions here come from previous-year papers of Indian postgraduate medical entrance and licensing exams; where a paper and year are recorded the question carries them. The image-based questions are original vignettes written around an openly licensed figure, and were never asked in any exam.
- 36 live questions in Adrenal Cortex and Medulla.
- 2 of 36 questions carry a verified exam year: 2019, 2020.
- Physiology is worth about 17 of 300 questions on the exam. See every subject’s weightage.
- Question set last updated 6 Sept 2026.
Q1.Which of the following sources of cholesterol is most important for sustaining adrenal steroidogenesis when it occurs at a high rate for a long time
- ADe novo synthesis of cholesterol from acetate
- BCholesterol in LDL particles✓ Correct answer
- CCholesterol in the plasma membrane
- DCholesterol in lipid droplets within adrenal cortical cells
Q2.Half-life of Aldosterone is
- A5 mins
- B8 to 10 mins
- C15 to 20 mins✓ Correct answer
- D60 to 90 mins
Q3.The primary form of cortisol in the plasma is that which is
- ABound to albumin
- BBound to transthyretin
- CFree in solution
- DBound to corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG)✓ Correct answer
Q4.Which of the following is most likely to result in a decreased rate of aldosterone release?
- AAn increase in renin secretion by the kidney
- BA rise in serum potassium
- CA fall in blood pressure in the kidney
- DA decrease in IP3 in cells of the zona glomerulosa✓ Correct answer
Q5.All of the following developmental events are dependent on the production of maternal or fetal glucocorticoids EXCEPT
- AInduction of thymic involution
- BProduction of surfactant by type II alveolar cells
- CFunctional thyroid
- DFunctional hypothalamo-pituitary axis✓ Correct answer
Q6.Which of the following statement is true regarding “Catecholamines” ?
- AProduction terminates with dopamine in the brain but epinephrine in the adrenal gland✓ Correct answer
- BProduction begins with the action of tyrosinase on tyrosine
- CAre metabolized to both glucogenic and ketogenic fragments
- DAll contain methyl group donated by S-adenosyl methionine
Q7.Aldosterone synthesis is stimulated by which of the following:
- AACTH
- BHyperkalemia✓ Correct answer
- CHypernatremia
- DExogenous steroids
Q8.In which of the following conditions would the Cortisol level be highest?
- AAddisons disease
- BNormal person after giving dexamethasone
- CNormal person after waking in morning✓ Correct answer
- DLate evening
Q9.Glucocorticoids lead to an increase in blood levels of which of the following?
- ANeutrophils✓ Correct answer
- BEosinophils
- CBasophils
- DLymphocytes
Q10.The rate-limiting step in the synthesis of cortisol is catalyzed by
- A21-Hydroxylase
- B3b-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
- CCholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme✓ Correct answer
- D11b-Hydroxylase
Answer key
Q1: B. Cholesterol in LDL particles; Q2: C. 15 to 20 mins; Q3: D. Bound to corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG); Q4: D. A decrease in IP3 in cells of the zona glomerulosa; Q5: D. Functional hypothalamo-pituitary axis; Q6: A. Production terminates with dopamine in the brain but epinephrine in the adrenal gland; Q7: B. Hyperkalemia; Q8: C. Normal person after waking in morning; Q9: A. Neutrophils; Q10: C. Cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme.
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