Question

Epinephrine is
A. Adrenergic
B. Cholinergic
C. Both A and B
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Adrenaline secreted by the adrenal gland is also known as epinephrine. In the process of impulse transmission, epinephrine acts as a neurotransmitter.

Complete answer: Two hormones are synthesised by the chromatin cells of the adrenal medulla are adrenaline or epinephrine (80 percent) and noradrenaline or norepinephrine (20 percent). In response to stress or when body homeostasis is disrupted, epinephrine or adrenaline hormones are secreted from the adrenal medulla. It is a fight or flight hormone that dilates arteries, increases the heart rate, dilates the pupil, increases the amount of blood sugar, etc., which works on the vascular system to help a person cope with a threatening situation. Adrenergic refers to nerve cells that use epinephrine as a neurotransmitter, and cholinergic refers to nerve cells that use acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter. Epinephrine is thus, adrenergic. The adrenal glands are endocrine in nature. They secrete a number of hormones, such as aldosterone and cortisol, including adrenaline and steroids. Above the kidneys, they are located as a cap-like structure. There is an outer cortex in each gland and also an inner medulla. There are three areas present in the adrenal cortex itself, they are the zona glomerulosa, the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis.
Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note: Owing to the rapid release of hormones, the body's sympathetic nervous system is triggered in response to acute stress. Sympathetic nervous systems activate the adrenal glands, causing the release of catecholamines, including adrenaline and noradrenaline, which is known as the fight or flight response.