Question

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words. Adrenal ................... synthesizes steroid hormones.

Answer 1

Hormones are known as chemical messengers. Hormones are produced and secreted by the organs or structures of the endocrine system. These endocrine structures directly release their hormones into the bloodstream as they do not have ducts. Hormones are transported by blood to their respective target organs for action.

Complete answer:
-Endocrine system of the body is made up different endocrine structures that include pituitary gland,
thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, adrenal glands, pineal gland, testes, ovaries, pancreas, thymus, and
hypothalamus.
-There are three different classes of hormones that are secreted by the endocrine system. These are
peptide or protein hormones, amine hormones and steroid hormones.
-Peptide hormones are made up of polypeptide chains. Majority of body hormones belong to this
class.
-Amine hormones are derived from amino acids such as tryptophan and tyrosine. They are made up
of amines.
-Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol (lipid). They are made up of steroids.
-Steroid hormones are produced and released by ovaries, testes and adrenal glands. Adrenal glands
are paired structures, one on top of each kidney. Adrenal gland is divided into outer and inner
regions. The outer region is called the cortex, while the inner region is called medulla. Steroid hormones are synthesized and secreted by the adrenal cortex. Adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines hormones
(amine hormones) namely epinephrine/adrenaline and norepinephrine/noradrenaline.
Thus the correct answer is - Adrenal cortex synthesizes steroid hormones.

Note: Adrenal cortex synthesizes and secretes many steroid hormones such as aldosterone, cortisol, androgens and estrogen. Aldosterone helps the body in maintenance of salt and water. It also controls the release of potassium in urine. Cortisol helps in regulating metabolism. Androgens are male sex hormones that help in male reproductive function and development of male secondary sexual characters. Estrogen is a female sex hormone that helps in female reproductive function and development of female secondary sexual characters.