Video Transcript
The adrenal gland releases a
hormone that controls our response to an immediate danger. What is the name of this
hormone? (A) Adrenaline, (B) thyroxine, (C)
insulin, (D) calcitonin.
This question asks us about a
hormone that is secreted by the endocrine system when we sense immediate danger. To answer this question, let’s
review what we know about the adrenal glands and the hormones they secrete.
The adrenal glands are one of the
many glands that make up the endocrine system in the human body. Endocrine glands operate by
releasing hormones directly into the bloodstream, which allows them to travel
throughout the entire body to their target organ. The adrenal glands are two
pyramid-shaped glands, each located on top of the kidneys. Each adrenal gland is made up of
the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex produces three
different types of hormones: glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and adrenal
androgens.
Glucocorticoid hormones include
essential steroid hormones, which are secreted in response to stress. The mineralocorticoids help to
maintain the body’s salt and water levels, which, in turn, regulates blood
pressure. Adrenal androgens contribute to the
development of secondary sexual characteristics and reproduction. The adrenal medulla produces the
catecholamines: adrenaline and noradrenaline.
Adrenaline and noradrenaline
hormones are responsible for initiating the fight-or-flight response during
dangerous or stressful situations. They can increase the rate at which
your liver converts glycogen into glucose, increasing your blood glucose
concentrations. This increases the rate at which
your muscle cells use glucose and cellular respiration to release the energy
required to escape or fight through these stressful situations.
Looking at our answer choices,
there is only one hormone listed that is released during dangerous situations. After reviewing the different
secretions of the adrenal glands, we’re able to answer our question correctly. The name of the hormone that is
released by the adrenal gland in response to immediate danger is adrenaline.
