Adrenal Gland

Question 1

what is the major target organ of the HPA?

Answer 1

adrenal gland

Question 2

what 3 chemicals are released in response to stress?

Answer 2

1. cortisol
2. epinephrine
3. norepinephrine

Question 3

what are the 2 systems of the adrenal gland?

Answer 3

1. inner adrenal medulla

2. outer adrenal cortex

Question 4

what does the outer adrenal cortex do?

Answer 4

long term stress response, made of glandular tissue

Question 5

what does the medulla do?

Answer 5

rapid stress response, extension of symp NS

Question 6

what hormones are secreted from the cortex?

Answer 6

1. aldosterone
2. cortisol
3. androgens

Question 7

what hormones are associated with the medulla?

Answer 7

NE, and Epi

Question 8

all steroid hormones are derived from ______.

Answer 8

cholesterol

Question 9

cholesterol –> pregnenolone –> progesterone –> ____ and ____.

Answer 9

aldosterone and cortisol

Question 10

where are glucocorticoid and mineralcorticoid receptors?

Answer 10

in the nucleus

Question 11

what are the steps to the HPA?

Answer 11

1. hypothalamus releases CRH
2. CRH binds to receptor on coriticotroph cells in anterior pit
3. Anterior pit releases ACTH
4. ACTH binds to its receptor in the adrenal cortex
5. the adrenal gland releases cortisol

Question 12

how do glucocorticoids modulate the CNS?

Answer 12

decrease CRH and ACTH release

Question 13

how do glucocorticoids modulate the immune system? and metabolism?

Answer 13

anti-inflammatory response; increase gluconeogenesis and redistribution of fat

Question 14

aldosterone belongs to which family?

Answer 14

mineralcorticoids

Question 15

aldosterone is secreted in response to ________

Answer 15

angiotensin II

Question 16

what ion is excreted when aldosterone is expressed?

Answer 16

K+

Question 17

how do MRs (mineralcorticoids) resolve the problem of receptor overlap with glucocorticoids?

Answer 17

11B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase types I & 2 perform redox rxns on cortisol to inactivate it as needed. cortisol is oxidized by type II to become inactive cortisone. type I reduces cortisone to cortisol to be used. this stops the MR receptors from being flooded with cortisol and can remain free to bind the MRs.

Question 18

which adrenergic receptors are Gi, Gq, and Gs coupled?

Answer 18

Gi: a2
Gq: a1
Gs: Beta

Question 19

what are 2 ways catecholamines can trigger an increase in glucose levels?

Answer 19

1. decrease insulin release

2. increase glucagon release

Question 20

what is the primary cause of cushing disease?

Answer 20

excess of glucocorticoids

Question 21

what are two ways to get a glucocorticoid excess/deficiency?

Answer 21

pituitary tumor

adrenal tumor

Question 22

what is addison disease?

Answer 22

an autoimmune destruction of adrenals, no coritsol is made

Question 23

what is phechromocytoma?

Answer 23

a chromaffin cell tumor in the adrenal medulla.

Question 24

what causes pheochromocytoma?

Answer 24

overactive catecholamine systems that secrete too much of it.

Question 25

what is the long term stress response?

Answer 25

mineralcorticoids are released to retain sodium and water and increase blood volume and BP

also glucocorticoids are released to break down proteins and fats to increase blood glucose and the immune system may be suppressed.