The endocrine system is composed of many glands throughout the body that maintain a homeostatic internal environment. This is done by the secretion of chemical messengers called hormones. These hormones are released by their glands in response to changes in the body and travel either via the blood stream or the neural pathways to their target tissues to either synthesise or inhibit the change that has occurred. This report will go into depth of the adrenal gland hormones, more specifically epinephrine which is secreted in response to physical activity and cortisol which helps with protein and fat breakdown, increases glucose production and also helps with the inhibition of the inflammatory response. [See] Understanding the structure, function and pathological conditions of the adrenal gland hormones will provided you, as a healthcare practitioner with a deeper understanding of what goes on when the synthesis or release of a specific hormone is increased or decreased and the implications it can have on a persons' health. .
Hormone 1: Epinephrine .
Structure: Epinephrine also known as adrenalin is known as an amino acid derivative and is classed as a neurotransmitter chemical messenger which originates from the amino acid tyrosine. Along with norepinephrine and dopamine, epinephrine contains a chemical structure called catechol and together these neurohormones are collectively called catecholamines. [Bea07] Epinephrine is a water soluble hormone, thus allowing it to dissolve readily in the blood and be transported to its target tissue. Due to its water solubility epinephrine binds to membrane bound receptors where this binding then activates the opening of ion channels. The reason epinephrine has to bind to a membrane bound receptor is because it is too large in size and cannot pass through the plasma membrane of its target cell. [See].
Function and Target Tissue: Epinephrine accounts for 80% of the total amount of hormones released from the adrenal medulla.