Question

Aldosterone hormone is a
A. Steroid
B. Protein
C. Amino acid derivative
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Aldosterone is secreted by the adrenal gland which are yellow conical bodies. These are paired glands placed on the top of the kidneys and have two regions called adrenal medulla and adrenal cortex.

Complete answer: The adrenal cortex secretes three groups of steroid hormones- mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and sexcorticoids.
Mineralocorticoids are hormones secreted by the outer region of the adrenal cortex. They regulate mineral metabolism by controlling the sodium and potassium ratio in the extracellular and intracellular fluids.
Their secretion is stimulated by a fall in the sodium ion concentration in the plasma or rise in the potassium ion concentration in the plasma or fall in the volume of blood.
The major mineralocorticoid is aldosterone and it is commonly called salt-retaining hormone. It tends to increase the reabsorption of sodium from urine, saliva, bile and sweat to reduce its loss from the body. It also increases the elimination of potassium in these fluids in exchange of the reabsorbed sodium.
Aldosterone also increases the reabsorption of water from the urine by raising the osmotic pressure of the blood through reabsorption of sodium ions into it. Reabsorption of water increases the volume of blood and other extracellular fluids. In short, mineralocorticoids maintain water and electrolyte balance and blood volume in the body.
Glucocorticoids regulate the metabolism of the carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
Sexcorticoids secreted by middle and inner regions of the adrenal cortex and it includes small amounts of both male and female sex hormones.
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note: Addison’s disease is caused by the deficiency of mineralocorticoids and it is characterized by an ion imbalance which lowers water retention. Weight loss, weakness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are the common symptoms of disease.