Question

Short / Long answer type questions.
What are two ways in which angiotensin II can increase blood pressure and what are its target tissues in these cases?

Answer 1

Angiotensin II can increase blood pressure by following mechanisms-

1. Angiotensin II, being a powerful vasoconstrictor, increases the glomerular blood pressure and thereby GFR. Here, the target is smooth muscles of blood vessels.
   
2. Angiotensin II also activates the adrenal cortex to release Aldosterone. Aldosterone causes reabsorption of Na+ and water from the distal parts of the tubule. In this case, the target tissues are cortex of adrenal gland.