Endocrine system L3

Question 1

Where are the adrenal glands and what are they made of?

Answer 1

Sit atop kidneys and have an inner adrenal
medulla and outer adrenal cortex

Question 2

What does the adrenal gland do?

Answer 2

Adrenal gland regulated in two ways…
* Hypothalamus regulates adrenal medulla
by direct nerve impulses from CNS

Question 3

What happens when the hypothalamus uses ACTH-releasing hormone?

Answer 3

Anterior pituitary secretes ACTH - stimulates the adrenal cortex

Question 4

What is the adrenal medulla used for?

Answer 4

For short-term stress response - secretes
epinephrine (aka adrenaline) and
norepinephrine - fight or flight!

Question 5

What is the adrenal cortex used for?

Answer 5

For long-term stress response - produces
glucocorticoids similar to cortisone and
mineralocorticoids to regulate salt and
water balance

Question 6

What does glucocorticoids do?

Answer 6

• Cortisol promotes breakdown of muscle proteins to amino acids - liver then breaks the amino acids into glucose
• Also promotes metabolism of fatty acids rather than carbohydrates - spares glucose
• Both actions raise blood glucose level - high levels of cortisol can suppress immune system function over time

Question 7

What does mineralocorticoids?

Answer 7

Aldosterone causes kidneys to reabsorb
sodium ions (Na+) and excrete potassium
ions (K+)

Question 8

What happens when blood sodium levels and blood pressure are low

Answer 8

kidneys secrete renin - effect of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is to raise blood pressure

Question 9

What causes Addison’s disease?

Answer 9

Develops when adrenal cortex hyposecretes
(secretes too little) hormones

Question 10

What causes crushing’s syndrome?

Answer 10

Develops when adrenal cortex hypersecretes (secretes too much) cortisol