Answer: Increased hormone levels signal the gland to reduce further production (maintaining balance).
- A Rising hormone levels sometimes trigger the hypothalamus to release more releasing factors
- B Increased hormone levels signal the gland to reduce further production (maintaining balance)
- C Target tissues sometimes amplify the hormonal signal through second messenger cascades
- D Antagonistic glands typically secrete in roughly equal proportions most of the time
Correct answer: B. Increased hormone levels signal the gland to reduce further production (maintaining balance)
Explanation: Negative feedback: high levels of a hormone inhibit further secretion. E.g., high cortisol inhibits ACTH and CRH. Maintains homeostasis.
The hypothalamus releases hormones that direct the pituitary, which releases its own trophic hormone to a target gland; that gland's hormone output then feeds back (dashed lines) to suppress both the pituitary and hypothalamus once levels are sufficient - a self-correcting loop running the entire endocrine system.
Concept context
The endocrine glands, hormone classification and mechanism of action, and negative feedback regulation.