Question

What is the function of cortical hormone?

Answer 1

Adrenal cortex:

1. It is the darker, outer zone of the adrenal or suprarenal glands in mammals that is responsible for the secretion of the cortical hormones.
2. Cortical hormones fall under the following three categories:
   1. Mineralocorticoids are released from the zona glomerulosa.
   2. Glucocorticoids are released from the zona fasciculata.
   3. Androgens are released from the zona reticularis.

Functions of cortical hormones:

Mineralocorticoids:

1. These are important for the concentration and balance of water and sodium ions in the blood.
2. An example of mineralocorticoids is aldosterone.

Glucocorticoids:

1. These are a stress-responsive class of hormones.
2. They are responsible for an immediate rise in gluconeogenesis, a rise in blood glucose levels, and the release of energy to face a stressful situation.
3. An example includes cortisone.

Androgens:

1. They affect the gonads by inducing secondary sexual characteristics during puberty.
2. These include testosterone and estrogen.