The hormone secreted by the pineal gland is:

Appeared in: DSSSB 6 September 2024

Explanation

The pineal gland, a small endocrine gland in the brain, is responsible for producing and secreting melatonin.
Melatonin's primary role is the regulation of circadian rhythms, which include the sleep-wake cycle.
Its secretion is influenced by light exposure; it increases in darkness and decreases in light, signaling the body to prepare for sleep.
Melatonin is synthesized from the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option B: Somatotropin, also known as Growth Hormone (GH), is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, not the pineal gland.
Option C: Somatostatin is an inhibitory hormone produced in several locations, including the hypothalamus and pancreas, but not the pineal gland.
Option D: Melanin is a pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye color; it is not a hormone.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Endocrine function of the pineal gland as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses often manage patients with sleep disorders. Understanding melatonin's role is crucial for patient education on sleep hygiene and the use of melatonin supplements.
Disruptions in melatonin production, often seen in night-shift workers or due to jet lag, can lead to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and impaired performance, which are important considerations in nursing assessments.
What if? - If a patient is taking a beta-blocker like propranolol, the nurse should be aware that these medications can suppress nocturnal melatonin production, potentially leading to insomnia. The nursing action would be to assess the patient's sleep patterns and report persistent issues to the prescriber.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is the function of the pineal gland.
The question asks for a specific hormone secreted by this gland. This is a direct recall question from physiology.
Evaluate each option based on your knowledge of the endocrine system:
Melatonin: Recall that this hormone is associated with sleep-wake cycles and is produced by the pineal gland.
Somatotropin: Recognize this as Growth Hormone, which is produced by the pituitary gland.
Somatostatin: Identify this as an inhibitory hormone from the hypothalamus and pancreas.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Endocrine function of the pineal gland
Stem keywords: hormone, secreted, pineal gland
Lead-in keywords: is

Question ID

QUihOgOh9TDDFKb8Zqaadx

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 649-651

E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 2 p. 88-90

E6 Physiology Ganong 27e Vol 1 Part 2 p. 59-61

Practise the full DSSSB 6 September 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.

Attempt this paper Attempt in the NPrep app