Zaymiey

🔬 Biology  ·  Chemical Coordination and Integration  ·  NEET

The hormone melatonin, which regulates the sleep–wake cycle, is secreted by the:

Answer: pineal gland.

  • A pineal gland
  • B thyroid gland
  • C adrenal gland
  • D pancreas

Correct answer: A. pineal gland

Explanation: The pineal gland secretes melatonin, influencing sleep patterns.

Hypothalamus-Pituitary Axis (Negative Feedback)Hypothalamusreleasing hormonePituitary("relay", not the boss)trophic hormoneTarget gland (e.g. thyroid, adrenal)hormone outputnegative feedback

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.

Read the full Chemical Coordination and Integration notes →