Impairment of adrenal cortex causes decrease concentration of _______in blood.

Options

A. sodium
B. calcium
C. ACTH
D. water

Answer

To answer the question, "Impairment of adrenal cortex causes decrease concentration of _______ in blood," we need to analyze the role of the adrenal cortex and the hormones it produces.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Adrenal Gland Structure**:
- The adrenal gland consists of two main parts: the adrenal cortex (outer layer) and the adrenal medulla (inner layer).
- The adrenal cortex is responsible for producing several hormones, including mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and sex hormones.

2. **Identifying the Functions of the Adrenal Cortex**:
- The adrenal cortex is divided into three layers:
- **Zona Glomerulosa**: Produces aldosterone (a mineralocorticoid).
- **Zona Fasciculata**: Produces cortisol (a glucocorticoid).
- **Zona Reticularis**: Produces sex hormones.
- Aldosterone plays a crucial role in regulating sodium and potassium levels in the blood.

3. **Role of Aldosterone**:
- Aldosterone promotes the reabsorption of sodium ions (Na+) in the kidneys.
- It also helps in the excretion of potassium ions (K+) and maintains electrolyte balance.

4. **Effect of Impairment of the Adrenal Cortex**:
- If the adrenal cortex is impaired, the production of aldosterone decreases.
- This leads to reduced reabsorption of sodium ions in the kidneys, causing sodium levels in the blood to decrease.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the impairment of the adrenal cortex causes a decrease in the concentration of sodium ions in the blood.

### Final Answer:
Impairment of adrenal cortex causes decrease concentration of **sodium ions** in blood.

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