Question

Differentiate between the following:

Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids.

Answer 1

(1) Glucocorticoids are a group of steroid hormones that are related mainly to carbohydrate metabolism and are mainly secreted from zona fasciculata of adrenal cortex region of the adrenal gland.

(2) Mineralocorticoids are a group of hormones that are mainly secreted from the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex region of the adrenal gland.

Glucocorticoids	Mineralocorticoids
1. Secreted from zona fasc iculata of adrenal cortex.	1. Secreted from zona glomerulosa of adrenal cortex.
2. Plays pivotal role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and protein mainly.	2. Plays an important role in mineral metabolism (regulating the balance of Na+ and K+ electrolytes and water in the body).
3. Glucocorticoid receptor accepts this type of hormone.	3. Mineralocorticoid receptor accepts this type of hormone.
4. Examples- Cortisol, Cortisone.	4. Examples- Aldosterone and deoxycorticosterone.
5. Cortisol is the main glucocorticoid hormone, commonly known as “stress hormone”.	5. Aldosterone is the most important mineralocorticoid.
6. Over-secretion of cortisol leads to Cushing's Syndrome.	6. Over-secretion of aldosterone leads to aldosteronism.