6.1 Adrenal Cortex Zones & Steroidogenesis

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Welcome! 6.1 Adrenal Cortex Zones & Steroidogenesis — 20 questions, CSIR-NET style.

What this test covers

Three cortical zones and their products
Aldosterone, cortisol, adrenal androgens
Key enzymes (desmolase, aldosterone synthase, 17α-hydroxylase)
What the adrenal cortex does NOT make

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6.1 Adrenal Cortex Zones & Steroidogenesis — Test 1

Q1. Aldosterone is produced by the adrenal:✓ Zona glomerulosa

Q2. Cortisol is produced mainly by the:✓ Zona fasciculata

Q3. Adrenal androgens (e.g. DHEA, androstenedione) are produced by the:✓ Zona reticularis

Q4. The rate-limiting first step of adrenal steroidogenesis, cholesterol to pregnenolone, is catalysed by:✓ Cholesterol desmolase (P450scc)

Q5. Which hormone is NOT produced by the adrenal cortex?✓ Ponasterone

Q6. The zona glomerulosa cannot make cortisol or androgens because it lacks:✓ 17α-hydroxylase

Q7. Match each zone with its main product and choose the correct option.✓ A-iii, B-i, C-ii

Q8. Aldosterone synthase, the enzyme unique to the glomerulosa, is induced/stimulated by:✓ Angiotensin II (and high K+)

Q9. Adrenal androgens are excreted in the urine as:✓ 17-ketosteroids

Q10. In the adrenal, ACTH increases steroid output mainly by stimulating:✓ Cholesterol desmolase (cholesterol -> pregnenolone)

Q11. The 18-carbon estrogens are NOT made in the adrenal cortex because the cortex lacks significant:✓ Aromatase activity (for the A-ring)

Q12. 21-carbon steroids of the adrenal include:✓ Progesterone, deoxycorticosterone, aldosterone and cortisol

Q13. Selective destruction of the zona glomerulosa would cause deficiency of:✓ Aldosterone

Q14. The 19-carbon steroids of the adrenal cortex:✓ Have androgenic activity and are estrogen precursors

Q15. Match each enzyme with its role and choose the correct option.✓ A-ii, B-iii, C-i

Q16. The adrenal androgen precursor that can be converted to testosterone in the gonads is:✓ Androstenedione

Q17. Hydroxylation at C-21 leads to the production of compounds with which activity (but not glucocorticoid)?✓ Mineralocorticoid activity (e.g. deoxycorticosterone)

Q18. The mnemonic 'salt, sugar, sex' (outer to inner cortex) refers to:✓ Glomerulosa (aldosterone), fasciculata (cortisol), reticularis (androgens)

Q19. Cortisol is synthesized from which immediate steroid series?✓ The 21-carbon series (via progesterone/17-OH-progesterone)

Q20. Which statement about adrenal zonation is correct?✓ The glomerulosa is mainly under renin-angiotensin/K+ control, the fasciculata under ACTH