Question

3) Sheila has recent undiagnosed hyperthyroidism, meaning that her thyroid hormone levels are chronically high. How might her body react to this recent increase in hormone concentration?

4) True or False: If all receptors on all muscle cells are occupied by the hormone epinephrine (receptors are saturated) increasing release of epinephrine to increase the concentration of epinephrine in the blood should result in increased effects of epinephrine. Explain why this statement is true or false.

Answer 1

1. Sheila's body might react to the recent increase in hormone concentration by experiencing symptoms such as weight loss, increased appetite, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, tremors, sweating, palpitations, and rapid heart rate. These symptoms are characteristic of hyperthyroidism, which results in an overactive thyroid gland that produces too much thyroid hormone.
2. This statement is false. If all receptors on all muscle cells are already occupied by the hormone epinephrine, increasing the concentration of epinephrine in the blood will not result in increased effects of epinephrine. This is because the maximum response of the muscle cells to epinephrine has already been reached and further increases in hormone concentration will not lead to additional responses. In fact, increasing the concentration of epinephrine beyond a certain point can lead to side effects or toxicity.