Welcome back to the EverythingABUAD study portal! This page is a complete, student-written study companion for PHS 220 – Pancreas & Adrenal Physiology, prepared for ABUAD 200 Level Pharmacy students (Second Semester).
This guide links blood-glucose control to the adrenal stress hormones — two heavily examined systems. Students usually struggle with the opposing actions of insulin and glucagon and with the layered anatomy of the adrenal gland. Below we break each area down in plain language, highlight the recurring comparisons, and give you original practice questions with worked answers. The full study guide is available in the interactive reader at the end as a free bonus.
- Course: PHS 220 – Physiology II
- College / Department: College of Pharmacy / Pharmacy
- Level / Semester: 200 Level, Second Semester
- Topics covered: Endocrine pancreas, insulin, glucagon, glucose homeostasis, adrenal anatomy, glucocorticoids (cortisol)
- Best for: Continuous assessment + final exam revision
Topics Covered in PHS 220: Pancreas & Adrenal Physiology
1. The Endocrine Pancreas
The islets of Langerhans contain beta cells (insulin), alpha cells (glucagon) and delta cells (somatostatin). Exam tip: learn which cell makes which hormone — a guaranteed quick-fire question — and that somatostatin damps both of its neighbours.
2. Insulin: the Storage Hormone
Insulin is released when glucose is high and drives uptake and storage of glucose, fat and protein. It is the only hormone that lowers blood glucose. Exam tip: describe insulin's actions tissue by tissue (liver, muscle, fat) and remember it signals through a receptor tyrosine kinase, not a second messenger.
3. Glucagon: the Mobilising Hormone
Glucagon is released when glucose is low and raises it by stimulating glycogen breakdown and gluconeogenesis in the liver. Exam tip: insulin and glucagon are a classic opposing pair — tabulate their triggers and effects side by side.
4. Glucose Homeostasis & Counter-Regulation
When glucose falls, glucagon, cortisol, growth hormone and adrenaline all act to raise it — the counter-regulatory hormones. Exam tip: note that insulin acts alone to lower glucose while several hormones act to raise it, which is why hypoglycaemia is dangerous.
5. Adrenal Anatomy
The adrenal cortex has three zones (glomerulosa → aldosterone, fasciculata → cortisol, reticularis → androgens); the medulla makes adrenaline. Exam tip: use the mnemonic 'GFR — salt, sugar, sex' to lock the cortical zones and their products.
6. Glucocorticoids (Cortisol)
Cortisol is the major stress hormone: it raises glucose, has permissive effects on other hormones, and suppresses inflammation. It is controlled by the HPA axis (CRH → ACTH → cortisol). Exam tip: link excess cortisol to Cushing's features and deficiency to Addison's, and know the HPA feedback loop.
Sample Practice Questions (With Answers)
Here are a few representative questions, written in our own words, with the reasoning explained so you understand the why — not just the answer:
Q. Which pancreatic cell type secretes insulin, and what is the principal stimulus for its release?
Answer: Beta cells of the islets of Langerhans secrete insulin. The principal stimulus is a rise in blood glucose, which beta cells sense and respond to by releasing insulin to drive glucose uptake and storage.
Q. Insulin is unusual among metabolic hormones in one direction of action — what is it?
Answer: It is the only hormone that lowers blood glucose. Several hormones (glucagon, cortisol, growth hormone, adrenaline) raise glucose, but insulin alone lowers it — which is why loss of insulin action causes hyperglycaemia.
Q. Match each adrenal cortical zone to its main secretory product.
Answer: Zona glomerulosa secretes mineralocorticoids (aldosterone), zona fasciculata secretes glucocorticoids (cortisol), and zona reticularis secretes adrenal androgens. The mnemonic 'salt, sugar, sex' follows the zones from outer to inner.
How to Study PHS 220 (Pancreas & Adrenal Physiology) Effectively
- Tabulate insulin vs glucagon — trigger, target tissues, and effect — as your first revision step.
- Use 'GFR: salt, sugar, sex' to recall the adrenal cortical zones and their hormones.
- Remember insulin lowers glucose alone, while several hormones raise it.
- Learn the concepts here, then drill recall with the workbook before your exam.
Download the Full PHS 220 Pancreas & Adrenal Physiology Study Guide
Ready to revise? Use the interactive reader below to read the full pancreas & adrenal physiology study guide with diagrams and worked detail. You can read it directly on the page or download it for offline revision before your exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this PHS 220 material free?
Yes — every resource on EverythingABUAD is completely free for ABUAD students.
Does this cover the full PHS 220 syllabus?
This guide covers the pancreas & adrenal physiology portion of the PHS 220 syllabus. Work through it alongside the other PHS 220 topic guides on EverythingABUAD, and always cross-check against your lecturer’s current outline.
Will these exact questions appear in my exam?
No. These are original practice questions written for revision only and are not a prediction of the actual exam.
About this resource: All summaries, explanations, study tips, and practice questions on this page were written, paraphrased, and adapted by the EverythingABUAD student team to support exam revision. This is an original study aid, not an official ABUAD document, and it is not a prediction of any future exam.
