Adernal Cotrical Hormone

Question 1

Where is cortisol made?

Answer 1

In the adrenal gland (zona fasciculata)

Question 2

What type of hormone is cortisol?

Answer 2

A steroid hormone called a glucocorticoid (affects glucose metabolism)

Question 3

What hormone controls cortisol production?

Answer 3

ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone) from the pituitary gland

Question 4

What happens if the body makes too little cortisol?

Answer 4

It can be fatal because cortisol is needed for many body functions

Question 5

What protein carries cortisol in the blood?

Answer 5

Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), also called transcortin

Question 6

When is more cortisol needed?

Answer 6

During stress, like surgery, illness, or emotional stress

Question 7

How does cortisol affect blood sugar?

Answer 7

It increases blood sugar by making the liver produce more glucose

Question 8

How does cortisol affect fat?

Answer 8

It breaks down fat to provide energy

Question 9

How does cortisol affect muscles?

Answer 9

It breaks down muscle proteins to release amino acids for energy

Question 10

What happens when cortisol levels are too high for a long time?

Answer 10

Muscle wasting, weight gain, and insulin resistance (can lead to diabetes)

Question 11

How does cortisol affect blood pressure?

Answer 11

It raises blood pressure by making blood vessels more sensitive to adrenaline.

Question 12

Why doesn’t cortisol cause too much sodium retention?

Answer 12

An enzyme called 11B-dehydrogenase stops cortisol from acting like aldosterone

Question 13

What happens if this enzyme doesn’t work?

Answer 13

Cortisol acts like aldosterone, causing high blood pressure and low potassium

Question 14

What does cortisol do to the immune system?

Answer 14

It reduces inflammation and suppresses immunity

Question 15

Why do doctors use cortisol-like drugs?

Answer 15

To treat inflammatory diseases like asthma, allergies, and autoimmune disorders

Question 16

How does cortisol affect wound healing?

Answer 16

It slows healing by stopping new tissue from forming

Question 17

What can happen if someone takes steroids (like prednisone) for a long time?

Answer 17

They can develop weak bones (osteoporosis) and muscle loss

Question 18

How does cortisol affect memory?

Answer 18

It helps form strong memories of emotional events

Question 19

What happens if cortisol is too high for a long time?

Answer 19

Memory problems and increased anxiety

Question 20

What brain structure starts cortisol production?

Answer 20

The hypothalamus, which releases CRH (Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone)

Question 21

What hormone stimulates the adrenal gland to release cortisol?

Answer 21

ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) from the pituitary gland.

Question 22

What causes cortisol to increase?

Answer 22

Stress, low blood sugar, and infections

Question 23

What causes cortisol to decrease?

Answer 23

Negative feedback - when cortisol levels are high, the brain stops making ACTH.

Question 24

What happens if the body makes too much cortisol?

Answer 24

Cushing’s syndrome - weight gain, muscle weakness, high blood sugar.

Question 25

What happens if the body makes too little cortisol?

Answer 25

Addison’s disease - weight loss, low blood pressure, tiredness

Question 26

Why do people with Addison’s disease need extra cortisol during stress?

Answer 26

Their body can’t make enough cortisol, so they need medicine (like prednisone)

Question 27

Where is aldosterone made?

Answer 27

In the adrenal gland (zona glomerulosa)

Question 28

Where is aldosterone made?

Answer 28

In the adrenal gland (zona glomerulosa)

Question 29

What type of hormone is aldosterone?

Answer 29

A mineralocorticoid (controls salt and water balance).

Question 30

What does aldosterone do?

Answer 30

It increases sodium and water in the blood and removes potassium.

Question 31

How does aldosterone increase blood pressure?

Answer 31

It tells the kidneys to keep more sodium and water.

Question 32

What does aldosterone do to potassium?

Answer 32

It makes the kidneys remove potassium in urine.

Question 33

What happens if aldosterone levels are too high?

Answer 33

High blood pressure and low potassium (hypokalemia)

Question 34

What happens if aldosterone levels are too low?

Answer 34

Low blood pressure and high potassium (hyperkalemia)

Question 35

What system controls aldosterone release?

Answer 35

The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

Question 36

What happens when blood pressure drops?

Answer 36

The kidneys release renin, which makes angiotensin II, which makes aldosterone go up

Question 37

What other factor makes aldosterone increase?

Answer 37

High potassium levels

Question 38

What happens if aldosterone levels are too high?

Answer 38

Hyperaldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome) - high blood pressure, low potassium.

Question 39

What happens if aldosterone levels are too low?

Answer 39

Addison’s disease - low blood pressure, high potassium, dehydration.

Question 40

What can block aldosterone’s effects?

Answer 40

Drugs like spironolactone (used to treat high blood pressure)

Question 41

What food can cause fake hyperaldosteronism?

Answer 41

Licorice - it stops the enzyme that protects aldosterone receptors.