What are the three zones of the adrenal cortex and their hormonal products?

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Multiple Choice

What are the three zones of the adrenal cortex and their hormonal products?

Explanation:
The adrenal cortex has three distinct zones, each producing a different class of steroid hormones. The outermost layer, zona glomerulosa, makes mineralocorticoids, mainly aldosterone, which help regulate sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion in the kidneys, influencing blood volume and pressure through the renin-angiotensin system. The middle layer, zona fasciculata, makes glucocorticoids, mainly cortisol, which affect glucose metabolism, stress responses, and anti-inflammatory actions. The inner layer, zona reticularis, makes androgens, such as DHEA and androstenedione, which contribute to sexual maturation and serve as precursors for estrogens in peripheral tissues. Thus, the correct pairing is zona glomerulosa with mineralocorticoids, zona fasciculata with glucocorticoids, and zona reticularis with androgens.

The adrenal cortex has three distinct zones, each producing a different class of steroid hormones. The outermost layer, zona glomerulosa, makes mineralocorticoids, mainly aldosterone, which help regulate sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion in the kidneys, influencing blood volume and pressure through the renin-angiotensin system. The middle layer, zona fasciculata, makes glucocorticoids, mainly cortisol, which affect glucose metabolism, stress responses, and anti-inflammatory actions. The inner layer, zona reticularis, makes androgens, such as DHEA and androstenedione, which contribute to sexual maturation and serve as precursors for estrogens in peripheral tissues.

Thus, the correct pairing is zona glomerulosa with mineralocorticoids, zona fasciculata with glucocorticoids, and zona reticularis with androgens.

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