1a The Adrenal Gland Flashcards
What does the left adrenal gland drain into?
The renal vein
What does the right adrenal gland drain into?
The inferior vena cava
How many arteries and veins are there in the adrenal glands?
One central vein, many arteries
Where are the adrenal glands located?
Above the kidneys
What is the adrenal cortex composed of?
The zona glomerulosa
The zona fasciculata
The zona reticularis
What does the adrenal cortex secrete?
Corticosteroids
What is secreted in the zona glomerulosa?
Aldosterone
What is secreted in the zona fasciculata?
Cortisol
What are catecholamines?
Adrenaline and noradrenaline
Where are catecholamines secreted from?
The adrenal medulla
What is the relative percentages of adrenaline and nor-adrenaline produced?
80% ADRENALINE
20% NORADRENALINE
What is the precursor for all steroid hormones?
Cholesterol
How many carbons do cholesterol molecules have?
27
How is cholesterol turned into pregnenolone?
Side chain cleavage
What enzyme converst pregnenolone into progesterone?
3-Beta Hydroxy Steroid dehydrogenase
Which enzymes are specifically found in the zona glomerulosa?
Those involved in the synthesis of steroids like aldosterone and corticol from cholesterol
What are the numbers of Hydroxylases that eventually take Progestone to Aldosterone?
21 Hydroxylase
11 Hydroxylase
18 Hydroxylase
What do the hydroxylase enzymes do?
Add an OH group to that position on the molecule
What are the numbers of hydroxylases that are required to take Progestone and convert it into Cortisol?
17 Hydroxylase
21 Hydroxylase
11 Hydroxylase
What is the function of aldosterone?
The major net effect is to conserve body sodium by stimulating its reabsorption into the blood
Explain how aldosterone works to increase sodium reabsorption
- Aldosterone binds to receptors on nucleus
- Causes the transcription of certain genes which results in Sodium ion channels and Na+/K+ Pumps being opened
- This results in an influx of Na+ from the urine, and more Na+ being pumped into blood
What affect does increase sodium reabsoprtion have on the blood pressure?
Increased Na+ into the blood, sets up a high concentration gradient for water, meaning water is reabsorbed into the blood also by osmosis
This water reabsorption raises blood volume and therefore raises blood pressure as well
What is the name of the renin secreting cells?
Juxtaglomerular cells
Which cells detect changes in blood pressure?
Cells in the macula densa
What is released and from where when the blood pressure drops?
Renin released from the juxtaglomerular apparatus
What regulates the release of aldosterone?
Angiotensin II