Adrenal Cortex Nick Ruzicka and Elle Reagan and KayLee Lile

Location  The Adrenal cortex is part of the adrenal glands which sit upon the kidneys

Hormones  The Adrenal cortex secretes aldosterone ( a mineralocorticoid from the outer zone), glucocorticoids from the middle zone, and glucocorticoids and gonadocorticoids from the inner zone

Effect on the Human Body  Aldosterone maintains sodium homeostasis in the blood  Glucocorticoids accelerate the breakdown of proteins into amino acids  Gonadocorticoids secrete small amounts of androgen, which is a male sex hormone

Homeostasis  Why are these hormones important?  They are important to maintain homeostasis because they keep the sodium levels balanced in the blood and the male hormones in check

Antagonistic Hormones and Feedback Mechanisms  Feedback Mechanism – secretion of glucocorticoids causes increased gluconeogenesis which is the synthesis of glucose from amino acids  Antagonistic Hormones - adrenocorticotropic hormone

Releasing Hormones  Gland – Adrenal gland produces cortisol, aldosterone, and androgens  Inhibiting – pituitary glands, it releases adrenocorticotropic hormone to stimulate cortisol production in the adrenal glands

Not Functioning Properly  Addison’s disease (hyposecretion)– results when adrenal glands damaged producing insufficient amounts of the hormone cortisol and often also aldosterone

What Can be Done  Oral steroids or androgen replacement therapy  You can regulate but cannot cure

Citations  ex ex  conditions/addisons- disease/basics/causes/con conditions/addisons- disease/basics/causes/con  ology/overview-adrenal-glands ology/overview-adrenal-glands