Question

What happens when there is an underproduction of hormones by the adrenal cortex?

Answer 1

Adrenal cortex:

1. The adrenal cortex is the outer and largest part of the adrenal gland.
2. The adrenal cortex is made up of three zones: zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis.

Adrenal cortex secretes the following hormones:

1. Cortisol: It is a primary stress hormone.
2. Aldosterone: It maintains salt and water balance in the body.
3. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): It helps in the production of hormones like testosterone and estrogen.
4. Androgenic Steroids: It increases the production of proteins in the cell.
5. Epinephrine: It helps in the metabolism, focus, panic, attention, etc.
6. Norepinephrine: It increases alertness, arousal, and attention.

Underproduction of hormones by the adrenal cortex:

1. When there is an underproduction of hormones by the adrenal cortex, it changes the carbohydrate metabolism.
2. This leads to acute weakness and fatigue.
3. This results in Addison’s disease.