Question

What steroid is an adrenal cortical hormone?

Answer 1

Adrenal cortical hormone:

1. The adrenocortical hormones are steroid molecules produced and released by the adrenal cortex.
2. The adrenal cortex synthesizes two types of steroids cortisol and aldosterone.
3. Cortisol is one of the glucocorticoids and aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid.
4. It also secrete androgenic steroids in small amounts.
5. Glucocorticoids are produced in the zona fasciculata, the primary glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex is cortisol.
6. It regulates metabolism by stimulating the breakdown of fat (lipolysis), the release of amino acids from the body, and also helps in gluconeogenesis.
7. Androstenedione is a weaker steroid androgen that acts as a precursor for the synthesis of estrogen and testosterone.