Sometimes prolonged excessive exposure to high hormone concentrations causes a phenomenon known as ________.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: down-regulation. Prolonged exposure to high hormone concentrations can lead to down-regulation, where cells decrease their responsiveness to the hormone by reducing the number of hormone receptors. This is a regulatory mechanism to prevent overstimulation.
A: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels, usually caused by insulin deficiency or insulin resistance, not directly related to prolonged exposure to high hormone concentrations.
B: Cellular inhibition is a broad term that may refer to various cellular processes being inhibited, but it is not a specific phenomenon resulting from prolonged exposure to high hormone concentrations.
D: Metabolism of protein kinases is a cellular process involved in signal transduction, but it is not a direct consequence of prolonged exposure to high hormone concentrations.