BRAINCAKEThe Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands are situated on top of each kidney. The outer adrenal cortex produces the hormones cortisol and aldosterone which are essential to life. The inner adrenal medulla produces non-essential hormones such as adrenaline which is involved in the body's stress response.
Sign in free to see the rest of this lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz
BrainCake is free. Make an account in seconds and pick up where this page stops.
Key terms in this lesson
- Sympathetic nervous system
- The division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the fight-or-flight response, generally increasing activity.
- Hormone
- A chemical messenger, secreted directly into the blood by an endocrine gland, that travels to target cells and alters their activity.
- Adrenaline
- A hormone produced by the adrenal medulla in response to stress that raises blood glucose concentration and heart rate.
- Noradrenaline
- A hormone and neurotransmitter produced by the adrenal medulla and the sympathetic nervous system that increases heart rate and constricts blood vessels to non-essential organs.
More in Hormonal Communication
- Endocrine Glands
- Hormones
- Adrenal Cortex
- Adrenal Medulla
- Pancreas
- Blood glucose concentration
- Insulin
- Glucagon
All 11 lessons in Hormonal Communication · All OCR A-level Biology topics