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The 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.The pituitary gland releases hormones which control the production of androgens, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids from the adrenal cortex.The sympathetic nervous system stimulates the adrenal medulla to produce adrenaline and noradrenaline.

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Specification: OCR Biology A (H420), A-level, 5.1.4 Hormonal communication. Topic: Hormonal Communication.

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

All 19 lessons in Hormonal Communication · All OCR A-level Biology topics