adrenal gland

Question 1

the adrenal medulla is the ____ portion of the gland and it develops from ____; it is part of the _____ and secretes_____

Answer 1

inner; neural crest cells; sympathetic nervous system; epinephrine and norepinephrine (catecholaminergic hormones)

Question 2

the adrenal cortex is the ____ portion of the gland and it develops from ____; it is not part of the nervous system ; it secretes several types of _____ in response to _____

Answer 2

outer; mesothelial cells in the intermediate mesoderm; steroid hormones; blood-bourne signals (hormones)

Question 3

aldosterone is a ____ produced by cells in the ____; cells here contain high levels of _____ and are deficient in enzymes that convert corticosterone to cortisol and androgens

Answer 3

mineralocorticoid; zona glomerulosa; aldosterone synthase

Question 4

principal action of aldosterone is to stimulate ____ in order to maintain ____ and ____

Answer 4

Na and H20 retention by the kidney; blood volume; blood pressure

Question 5

the mechanisms by which aldosterone helps resorb Na and water in the kidney result in an increase in _____

Answer 5

urinary excretion of K and H

Question 6

effects of aldosterone include:

Answer 6

• more Na channels in apical membrane
• more Na-K ATPase in basolateral membrane
• increased synthesis of mitochondrial enzymes used in oxidative phosphorylation (electron transport system)

Question 7

secretion of aldosterone is stimulated by:

Answer 7

• increase in plasma angiotension II
• increase in plasma K
• decrease in plasma pH or increase in plasma H
• drop in systemic BP

Question 8

secretion of aldosterone inhibited by:

Answer 8

increased Na intake

Question 9

glucocorticoids like ____ and ____ are secreted by cells of the _____

Answer 9

cortisol; corticosterone; zona fasciculata

Question 10

major effects of glucocorticoids or cortisol are to _____ and _____

Answer 10

increase metabolic fuel activity; use in tissues

Question 11

glucocorticoids increase:

Answer 11

• gluconeogenesis in the liver
• proteolysis in muscle
• lipolysis (glycolysis)

Question 12

glucocorticoids decrease:

Answer 12

• glucose uptake in muscle and fat
• immune and inflammatory responses
• growth and reproductive function

Question 13

synthesis and secretion of glucocorticoids is stimulated by ____; cortisol has a negative feedback action on both ____ and ____

Answer 13

ACTH; CRH; ACTH (pituitary and hypothalamus)

Question 14

sex steroids (mainly androgens) are secreted by the _____; the two major androgens are ____ and _____

Answer 14

zona reticularis; DHEA; androstenedione

Question 15

DHEA is a ____ of other sex steroids so it can serve as a _____ for conversion in peripheral tissues containing steroidogenic enzymes

Answer 15

precursor; circulating reservoir

Question 16

synthesis and secretion of adrenal androgens is stimulated by _____

Answer 16

ACTH

Question 17

3 primary goals of the stress response

Answer 17

1. maintain blood pressure
2. mobilize and increase availability of metabolic fuel
3. inhibit non-essential functions

Question 18

symptoms of adrenal insufficiency

Answer 18

• low cortisol and high ACTH
• muscle weakness, lethargy, decreased appetite
• low BP
• low glucose when fasting
• hyperpigmentation

Question 19

adrenal insufficiency can be treated with ____ and/or ____

Answer 19

exogenous glucocorticoids; dietary control

Question 20

symptoms of hypercortisolinemia/ Cushing’s disease

Answer 20

• excessive tissue catabolism (esp bone, skin, muscle)
• diabetes-like symptoms
• impaired immune function
• threat of hypertension

Question 21

hypercortisolinemia or cushing’s disease typically due to a _____ or ______

Answer 21

pituitary tumor ; administering too much exogenous glucocorticoid

Question 22

primary adrenal insufficiency can be caused by _____ such as ____ that can infiltrate adrenal glands and destroy them

Answer 22

infectious diseases; tuberculosis

Question 23

elevated cortisol over long periods of time, combined with chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system can lead to development of ____ and ___

Answer 23

atherosclerosis; hypertension (increased lipids in the blood plus higher blood pressure)