Question

List the different groups of hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex. Give their chemical nature, a specific region of secretion, and one major function of each. What would happen to the animal if the adrenal cortex is destroyed?

Answer 1

There are two elements in the adrenal glands: the cortex and the medulla. The outer portion of the gland is the cortex. The hormones cortisol and aldosterone are released by it. The medulla, meanwhile, is the gland's inner component. The hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline are released by it.

Complete answer:

Hormone	Chemical nature	Region of secretion	function
Glucocorticoids	Steroid	Zona fasciculata	Stimulate gluconeogenesis, lipolysis, and proteolysis; and blocks cellular uptake and consumes amino acids Glucocorticoids are effective medicines that combat inflammation to treat a wide variety of health conditions and work with the immune system.
Mineralocorticoids	Steroid	Zona glomerulosa	Maintain the body’s salt and water levels which regulate blood pressure.This improves the reabsorption of sodium by operating on the distal tubules of the kidney.
Adrenal androgens	Steroid	Zona reticularis	The growth of axial, pubic, and facial hair during puberty.In males, androgens are responsible for sexual growth and are formed by the testes.

If the adrenal cortex were to stop working as it regulates metabolic processes that are important to life, death would result. The inner part (adrenal gland) of the suprarenal gland is the adrenal medulla.

Additional information:
The yellow outer layer of the adrenal gland, originating from the embryonic mesoderm, consists of three layers:
-The outermost layer that secretes mineralocorticoids, mainly aldosterone, is Zona glomerulosa.
-Zona fasciculata, the middle layer that secretes glucocorticoids, mainly cortisol, both at baseline and burst stages, while the anterior pituitary gland is regulated by ACTH.
-The innermost layer, Zona reticularis, secretes androgens, mainly dehydroepiandrosterone.
The hormones cortisol and aldosterone are formed by the outer part of the gland, called the adrenal cortex. The hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline are released by the inner part of the gland, called the adrenal medulla.

Note: The adrenal glands may be affected by a variety of medical conditions. These include Addison's disease, adrenal cancer, and Cushing's syndrome, as well as high blood pressure due to aldosterone overproduction.