Adrenal physiology

Question 1

The 3 layers of the cortex of adrenal gland

Answer 1

Zona glomerulosa
Zona fasciculata
Zona reticularis

Question 2

What is synthesised at the zona glomerulosa?

Answer 2

Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)

Question 3

What is synthesised at the zona fasciculata?

Answer 3

glucortiticoids (cortisol)

Question 4

What is synthesised at the zona reticularis?

Answer 4

Androgens (DHEA, androstenedione)

Question 5

What is synthesised in the medulla?

Answer 5

Catecholamines

Question 6

What is the precursor for all adrenal steroidogenesis?

Answer 6

Cholesterol`

Question 7

Corticosteroids have a cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene structure which consists of _ cyclohexane rings and a single cyclopentane ring

Answer 7

3

Question 8

Corticosteroids are _____ soluble so can pass through biological membranes

Answer 8

lipid

Question 9

Corticosteroids bind to specific _____________ receptors

Answer 9

intracellular

Question 10

Corticosteroids alter gene ______________ directly or indirectly

Answer 10

transcription

Question 11

Steroids are classified according to number of _______

Answer 11

carbons

Question 12

ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone) stimulates ______________ synthesis acutely

Answer 12

corticosteroid

Question 13

Glucocorticoids are synthesised in which layers of adrenal gland?

Answer 13

Zona fasciculata and reticularis

Question 14

Glucocorticoids are important in ___________ eg conditioning the body’s response to stress

Answer 14

homeostasis

Question 15

Glucocorticoids increase _______ mobilisation

Answer 15

glucose

Question 16

Glucocorticoids augment gluconeogenesis, amino acid generation and increased l________

Answer 16

lipolysis

Question 17

Glucocorticoids help maintain circulation via v_______ tone and salt and water balance

Answer 17

vascular

Question 18

Glucocorticoids dampen the i_____ response

Answer 18

immune

Question 19

In the circulation, glucocorticoids are heavily bound to ________

Answer 19

proteins

Question 20

90% of glucocorticoids are bound to ___

Answer 20

CBG (Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin)

Question 21

ACTH regulates ______________ synthesis

Answer 21

glucocorticoid

Question 22

CRH stimulates ____ release

Answer 22

ACTH

Question 23

For around _ days after a surgical operation, there isn’t the normal diurnal rhythm

Answer 23

3-4

Question 24

Mineralocorticoids are synthesised in the zona ..

Answer 24

glomerulosa

Question 25

Main mineralocorticoids are a__________ and ___

Answer 25

aldosterone and ___

Question 26

What does aldosterone lead to in kidneys?

Answer 26

More Na+ transporters and Na+/K+ ATPase, so more Na+ is reabsorbed

Question 27

Aldosterone defeciency causes the plasma to have ___ sodium levels and ____ potassium levels

Answer 27

low sodium, high potassium

Question 28

Aldosterone deficiency causes the urine to have ____ sodium levels and ___ potassium levels

Answer 28

high sodium and low potassium

Question 29

E-cortisone is inactivated _________

Answer 29

cortisol

Question 30

DHEA (______________________) is the most abundant adrenal steroid but very weak androgen

Answer 30

dehydroepiandrosterone

Question 31

The main site for adrenaline synthesis is

Answer 31

the adrenal medulla

Question 32

Relative production of catecholamines: adrenaline = __% noradrenaline = __%

Answer 32

adrenaline = 80% noradrenaline = 20%

Question 33

Normal catecholamine synthesis depends on high local c_______ levels

Answer 33

cortisol