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Adrenal Cortex

Glucocorticoids These include cortisol which is released in response to stress and low blood sugar concentration. Its effect is to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis, to suppress the immune system, and to aid in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Mineralocorticoids The main hormone is aldosterone. Aldosterone acts on the kidneys to maintain the balance of salt and water in the body.
Androgens Small amounts of male and female sex hormones are made in the adrenal cortex. Oestrogens released by the adrenal cortex is particularly important in women after menopause.

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Specification: AQA Biology (7402), A-level, 3.6.4.2 Control of blood glucose concentration. Topic: Hormonal Communication.

codon: A sequence of three consecutive bases on mRNA (or DNA) that codes for a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis.
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