Question

Choose the correct answer from each of the four options given below-

Gigantism and Acromegaly are due to

• A. Hyposecretion of Thyroxine
• B. Hyposecretion of growth hormone
• C. Hypersecretion of Thyroxine
• D. Hypersecretion of growth hormone

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Hypersecretion of growth hormone

The correct option is D.

Explanation of correct option:

1. The growth hormone, also called somatotropin, is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland.
2. Hypersecretion of growth hormone before puberty causes gigantism. Long limbs, large hands, and feet are a few characteristics.
3. Hypersecretion of growth hormone during middle age leads to acromegaly. It is characterized by a gorilla-like appearance.
4. Enlargement of soft tissues leads to complications in a person suffering from acromegaly.

Explanation of incorrect options:

Option A:

1. Hyposecretion of thyroxine causes cretinism in infants and children.
2. Poor physical and mental development, pot belly, gait incoordination, etc are a few characteristics of a child suffering from cretinism..
3. Hyposecretion of thyroxine causes myxoedema in adults, specifically females.
4. A puffed face, thickened nose, swelling in lips, high cholesterol, etc are a few characteristics of a person with myxoedema.

Option B:

1. Hyposecretion of growth hormone before puberty dwarfism which is characterized by the reduction in body growth and skeleton development
2. Hyposecretion of growth hormone after puberty causes acromicria causing a reduction in the size of hands, face, and feet.

Option C:

1. Hypersecretion of thyroxine causes exophthalmic goitre or Grave’s disease.
2. Swelling in the neck, increase in basal metabolic rate, irregular rapid heartbeat, eyeball protrusion, etc. are a few characteristics.

Final answer:

Gigantism and Acromegaly are due to hypersecretion of growth hormones.