Endocrinology and Reproduction MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Endocrinology and Reproduction - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Only C

Explanation:

• Calcitropic hormones, such as calcitriol (active vitamin D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and calcitonin, play a key role in maintaining calcium homeostasis in the body. These hormones regulate calcium levels in the blood by influencing calcium absorption, bone remodeling, and renal calcium reabsorption or excretion.
• Calcium homeostasis is crucial for various physiological processes, including bone health, muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and blood clotting.
  • Option A:  Calcium-binding proteins (CaBP) enhance the movement of calcium from the intestinal brush border into the cytoplasm of enterocytes. This process is essential for intestinal calcium absorption, which is regulated by calcitriol. Therefore, this statement is correct.
  • Option B: Calcitonin acts on receptors present in osteoclasts, where it increases cyclic AMP (cAMP) production. This action inhibits osteoclast activity, reducing bone resorption and contributing to calcium homeostasis. Hence, this statement is also correct.
  • Option C: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) does not work independently to mobilize bone mineral. Instead, it often works in concert with vitamin D (calcitriol) to regulate calcium homeostasis. PTH stimulates the production of calcitriol in the kidneys, which enhances calcium absorption in the intestines and works synergistically to maintain calcium levels. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
  • Option D: Calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, is the major calcitropic hormone responsible for regulating intestinal calcium absorption. It increases the synthesis of calcium-binding proteins (CaBP) in enterocytes, thereby facilitating calcium uptake from the diet. This statement is correct.

The correct answer is C and D

Explanation:

• The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are critical for regulating metabolism, growth, and development.
• The biosynthesis of thyroid hormones involves several steps, including the uptake of iodide (I^-), its transport into the colloid, iodination of tyrosine residues on thyroglobulin, and coupling reactions to form T3 and T4.
• Key transporters and enzymes, such as the Na+/I- symporter (NIS), pendrin, thyroid peroxidase (TPO), and thyroglobulin, play vital roles in this process.

Statement C: "Pendrin, a Cl^-/I^- exchanger, helps I^- entry into the colloid" is correct.

• Pendrin, a Cl^-/I^- exchanger located on the apical membrane of thyroid follicular cells, facilitates the transport of iodide (I^-) from the cytoplasm into the colloid of the thyroid follicle.
• This step is essential for the subsequent iodination of tyrosine residues on thyroglobulin.

Statement D: "Iodination of tyrosine residue takes place first on the 3rd position in the thyroglobulin protein" is correct.

• In the colloid, iodide is oxidized by thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and incorporated into the tyrosine residues of thyroglobulin.
• The iodination occurs at the 3rd position of the tyrosine ring, forming monoiodotyrosine (MIT). A subsequent iodination at the 5th position leads to the formation of diiodotyrosine (DIT).

Other Options:

Statement A: "An antiporter transports two Na⁺ ions and one I^- ion across the thyroid follicular cells" is incorrect.

• The Na⁺/I^- symporter (NIS) is not an antiporter. It is a symporter that transports two Na⁺ ions and one I^- ion into the thyroid follicular cells from the bloodstream.
• This process is driven by the sodium gradient established by the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump, not through antiport mechanisms.

Statement B: "Pendrin, a Cl^-/I^- symporter, helps I^- entry into the colloid" is incorrect.

• Pendrin is not a Cl^-/I^- symporter. It is a Cl^-/I^- exchanger, meaning it facilitates the exchange of chloride (Cl^-) and iodide (I^-) ions across the apical membrane.

The correct answer is A and C

Concept:

• The androgen receptor (AR) plays a critical role in the development and progression of prostate diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer.
• AR is a nuclear receptor that binds to androgens (male hormones like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone) to regulate gene expression. It consists of three key functional domains:
  • N-terminal domain (NTD): Responsible for transcriptional activity.
  • Nuclear localization signal (NLS) domain: Facilitates movement of AR into the cell nucleus.
  • Ligand-binding domain (LBD): Binds to androgens and mediates conformational changes in the receptor.
• In the context of prostate disease, targeting specific AR domains can help inhibit the receptor's activity and alleviate symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

Explanation:

​A. Drugs should target the N-terminal domain of the AR.

• The N-terminal domain (NTD) is essential for the transactivation function of the AR. Targeting this domain can effectively inhibit AR activity because it contains activation function-1 (AF-1) which is crucial for AR-mediated transcription. Therapeutics targeting this region could impact the AR's ability to stimulate the transcription of genes involved in prostate growth.

B. Drugs should not target the NLS domain of the AR.

• Targeting the Nuclear Localization Signal (NLS) domain could prevent AR from entering the nucleus, effectively inhibiting its function.
• Some AR-targeting therapies work by blocking nuclear translocation, so avoiding the NLS domain is not necessary..

C. The drug should bind to the ligand-binding domain of the AR.

• The ligand-binding domain (LBD) is where androgens such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) bind. Drugs that target this domain can effectively block androgen binding, diminishing the AR's ability to activate androgen-responsive genes that contribute to prostate enlargement. Most current anti-androgens already use this mechanism.

D. The drug should activate CYP17A1 to facilitate conversion of pregnenolone to DHEA.

• CYP17A1 (17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase) is an enzyme involved in steroidogenesis
• Activating CYP17A1 increases the production of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is a precursor to testosterone and other androgens.
• This could potentially be counterproductive, since promoting androgen synthesis may worsen prostate growth, contrary to the goal of the treatment.

Explanation:

• Growth hormone (GH), also known as somatotropin, is a peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. It plays a critical role in growth, metabolism, and tissue repair.
• GH secretion is tightly regulated by factors such as nutrient status, sleep cycles, stress hormones, and blood glucose levels.

Statement A (Correct): Fasting increases GH secretion.

• During fasting or caloric restriction, the body compensates for the lack of nutrients by increasing GH secretion to mobilize stored energy (e.g., fat) and maintain glucose levels.
• GH has lipolytic effects, meaning it promotes the breakdown of fats, which becomes crucial during fasting.

Statement B (Correct): REM sleep decreases GH secretion.

• GH secretion is pulsatile and peaks during slow-wave sleep (deep non-REM sleep), particularly in the early part of the night.
• In contrast, REM sleep is associated with lower GH secretion, as this stage is more related to brain activity and dreaming rather than the restorative functions of non-REM sleep.

Statement C (Incorrect): Cortisol increases GH secretion.

• While cortisol, a stress hormone, can influence GH secretion indirectly under certain conditions, chronic high cortisol levels (e.g., in Cushing's syndrome) generally suppress GH secretion.
• Cortisol's catabolic effects (breaking down proteins) oppose the anabolic effects of GH, leading to decreased GH activity over time.

Statement D (Incorrect): Hypoglycemia decreases GH secretion.

• Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels) stimulates GH secretion, as GH helps increase blood glucose levels by promoting gluconeogenesis (glucose production) in the liver.
• This is a survival mechanism to prevent dangerously low blood sugar levels.

The correct answer is Its β-subunit is smaller than α-subunit in size.

Explanation:

• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): hCG is a glycoprotein hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the corpus luteum and supporting pregnancy in its early stages.
• hCG is a glycoprotein hormone ranging from 36 up to even 41 kDa from low to highly glycosylated forms.
• It is composed of two subunits, α and β linked with a non-covalent bond.
•   The α-subunit is identical to that found in other glycoprotein hormones like thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The β-subunit is unique to hCG and determines its specific biological function.

Properties are summarized below:

It contains galactose and hexosamine.

• This is a correct statement. hCG is a glycoprotein, meaning it consists of a protein backbone with attached carbohydrate molecules. These carbohydrates include galactose and hexosamine, which are components of its glycosylation that contribute to its stability and function.

Its α-subunit is identical in TSH.

• This is a correct statement. The α-subunit of hCG is structurally identical to the α-subunit of other glycoprotein hormones such as TSH, LH, and FSH. This shared subunit allows for some degree of functional similarity among these hormones, although their specific actions are determined by their unique β-subunits.

Its β-subunit is smaller than α-subunit in size.

• This is an incorrect statement. The β-subunit of hCG is larger than the α-subunit. The β-subunit contains additional amino acid residues and unique sequences that confer its specific biological activity, distinguishing hCG from other hormones with the same α-subunit.

It is primarily luteinizing in nature.

• This is a correct statement. hCG mimics the action of luteinizing hormone (LH) and is pri mari ly luteinizing in nature. It supports the corpus luteum, which is essential for the production of progesterone during the early stages of pregnancy.

The correct answer is Option 3 i.e.Oxidized iodine

Concept:

• The "organification of tyrosine residues in thyroglobulin" refers to a crucial step in the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones, which is an important physiological process for maintaining metabolism and growth in humans.
• Thyroglobulin is a glycoprotein that serves as the precursor for the production of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).
• This protein is synthesized by the follicular cells within the thyroid gland and stored within its structures awaiting iodination and further processing.
• The process begins with the active uptake of iodide by the thyroid cells.
• This iodide is then oxidized to iodine, typically in the presence of an enzyme known as thyroid peroxidase.
• Thyroglobulin has several tyrosine residues within its structure, which provide a site for the attachment of iodine.
• This process is known as "organification" and it results in the formation of monoiodotyrosine (MIT) and diiodotyrosine (DIT) residues on thyroglobulin.
• When the need for thyroid hormones arises, the MIT and DIT residues combine to form T3 (formed by one DIT and one MIT) and T4 (formed by two DIT residues), which are then released into the blood.
• This iodination and subsequent combination of iodinated tyrosine residues is critical for thyroid hormone production.
• Importantly, it is the "oxidized iodine" that participates in the organification process, iodinating the tyrosine residues on thyroglobulin

Explanation

Iodide ions (I^-) are transported into the thyroid gland and subsequently oxidized to form iodine (I₂), which is then able to iodinate tyrosine residues on thyroglobulin for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Thus, it is the oxidized form of iodine that participates directly in the organification process.

The correct answer is Option 4 i.e. A,C and E

Concept:

• Spermatogenesis is the process of production of sperms within the seminiferous tubules. 
• Spermatogonia are present inside the seminiferous tubules and it undergoes mitotic division to increase in number. 
• Each spermatogonium is diploid with 46 chromosomes. 
  • Some spermatogonia undergo meiotic cell division, they are called primary spermatocytes. 
  • Primary spermatocytes complete the first meiotic division to produce two equal and haploid cells known as secondary spermatocytes. Since they are haploid, they only have 23 chromosomes. 
  • The secondary spermatocytes further undergo secondary meiotic division to produce four equal and haploid spermatids.
  • Spermatids are transferred into spermatozoa. 
  • After spermatogenesis, the head of the sperms gets embedded in the Sertoli cells to acquire nutrition, finally, sperms are released from the seminiferous tubules in a process called spermiation. 
• Spermatogenesis starts during puberty due to an increase in the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
• An increase in GnRH acts on the anterior pituitary and stimulates it to release LH and FSH. 
• LH acts on the Leydig cells of the testis and stimulates the synthesis of androgens, which in turn stimulates the process of spermatogenesis. 
• FSH acts on Sertoli cells and stimulates the secretion of some factors that helps in the spermatogenesis process.

Explanation:

• Germinal angiotensin-converting enzyme (gACE) is a isozyme that plays an important role in male reproduction.
• gACE is released during the process of capacitation from human spermatozoa and it is associated with reduced sperm motility.
  • Hence, Statement A is correct.
• Mature spermatozoa are released from seminiferous tubules or from Sertoli cells.
  • Hence, Statement B is incorrect.
• Müllerian-inhibiting substances (MIS) play an important role in sex determination.
• It is secreted from the Sertoli cells in males, and its main function is to cause regression of the müllerian duct in the fetus.
  • Hence, Statement C is correct.
• Upon stimulation by LSH cells, Leydig cells secreted androgens.
  • Hence, Statement D is incorrect.
• Estrogen is produced in germ cells and it is found in relatively high amounts in rete testis fluid.
• ERα is the estrogen receptor that are found on the testis and epididymis. 
  • Hence, Statement E is correct.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 4. 

The correct answer is Option 2 i.e. B,C and E.

Concept:

• Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is secreted by the chief cells of parathyroid glands.
• It is a peptide hormone that is consisting of 84 amino acids. 
• Its main function is to increase the concentration of calcium in the blood. 
• The concentration of PTH in the serum is dependent on the release of PTH stored as well as on the synthesis of the new PTH. 
• The binding of the calcium to the CaSRs on chief cells is responsible for the release of PTH from secretory granules.
• Hypocalcemia is responsible for retardation in the rate of degradation of PTH within the parathyroid granule.
• Secretion of parathyroid hormone is controlled by the concentration of calcium ions in the serum through a negative feedback loop.
• When calcium concentration is low, the calcium-sensing receptors located on the parathyroid cells are activated, also degradation of the PTH is reduced and synthesis of Pro-PTH is increased, and PTH is released from the parathyroid gland. 
• When calcium concentration is high, then the degradation of the PTH is increased and PTH is not released.

Explanation:

• The primary gene product of the parathyroid hormone gene is a pre-proPTH which is 115 amino acid residues long.
• It is an N-terminal signal sequence of 25 amino acids that is cleaved to form pro-PTH which is a 90-amino aids product.
• Pro-PTH is further cleaved to release 84 amino acid products, 1-34 amino acids of PTH are biologically function with 25 to 34 amino acids involved in receptor binding. 
  • Hence, Statement A is incorrect and Statement B is correct.
• PTH is continuously produced and synthesised in the parathyroid gland.
• When the concentration of the calcium ion decreases in the serum then the rate of degradation of the PTH in the parathyroid gland is decreased and the rate of production of mRNA is increased.
  • Hence, Statement C is correct and statement D is incorrect. 
• Cathepsin B belongs to cysteine protease of the papain family, it is a lysosomal enzyme. that cleaves the PTh at C-termine resulting in the formation of two fragments. 
  • Hence, Statement E is correct.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 2. 

The correct answer is Option 2 i.e. B,C and D

Concept:-

• ​In mammals, glucocorticoid hormones govern vital bodily processes such as cell development, differentiation, and apoptosis.
• A number of immune-modulatory mechanisms involving leukocyte death, differentiation, and cytokine production have been discovered, and it is significant that they are effective suppressors of inflammation.
• Synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs) are the most frequently recommended medications for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory illnesses because of their powerful anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressive effects.
• Most vertebrates produce glucocorticoids of the type hydrocortisone, also known as cortisol, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, and cortisone.
• In both humans and fish, cortisol is the most prevalent and strong glucocorticoid. Amphibians, reptiles, and birds have the highest levels of corticosterone.

Explanation:

Statement A:- INCORRECT

•  They bind to cell surface receptors and influence stress adaptation

Statement B:- CORRECT

• The nuclear steroid receptor superfamily's glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which serves as a ligand-dependent transcription factor to control the expression of glucocorticoid-responsive genes, is where glucocorticoids exercise their effects at the cellular level.

Statement C:- CORRECT

• The adrenal cortex secretes androgens from the zona reticularis and glucocorticoids from the zona fasciculata.
• A negative feedback loop created by the production of glucocorticoids prevents the release of CRH and ACTH from the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus, respectively.

Statement D:- CORRECT

• One significant side effect of glucocorticoids (GCs), especially inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), is adrenal suppression (AS).
• As is frequently asymptomatic or accompanied by vague symptoms until physiological stress, such as a disease, triggers an adrenal crisis.

Statement E:- INCORRECT

• Glucocorticoids, hormones made by the cortex of the adrenal gland, have many roles in maintaining bodily homeostasis and the organism's reaction to stresses from the outside world.
• Their regulation is notable for having a diurnal release pattern, with peak levels associated with the beginning of the activity phase.
• The suprachiasmatic nucleus, a central pacemaker in the hypothalamus, and the adrenal gland's own circadian clock are both involved in the circadian regulation of glucocorticoid synthesis and secretion.
• The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the autonomic nervous system regulate the central circadian rhythm, while the adrenal gland clock appears to regulate the gland's sensitivity to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

Therefore, the correct answer is B, C, and D.

The correct answer is Option 2 i.e. A,B and D

Concept:-

• ​The female reproductive system and secondary sex traits are developed and regulated by a class of sex hormones called estrogens or oestrogens. 
• Estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol are the three main endogenous estrogens with estrogenic hormonal activity (E3).  The most potent and common estrane is estradiol.
• Only during pregnancy is another estrogen called estetrol (E4) generated.
• Estrogens easily diffuse across the cell membrane, just like all steroid hormones.
• As soon as they are inside the cell, they attach to and activate estrogen receptors (ERs), which in turn regulate the production of several genes. 
• Additionally, GPER is one of the rapid-signaling membrane estrogen receptors (mERs) that estrogens bind to and activate (GPR30).

Explanation:

Statement A:- CORRECT

• Females produce physiological estrogens in three main chemical forms: estrone (E1), estradiol (E2, also known as 17-estradiol), and estriol (E3).
• During the reproductive years, estradiol (E2) predominates both in terms of absolute serum levels and estrogenic activity.

Statement B:- CORRECT

• The estrane steroid nucleus, which is unique from other groups of steroids like androgens and progestins and shared by all estrogens, includes 18-carbon atoms organized into four rings.

Statement C:- INCORRECT

•  They are 18C steroids which do not have methyl group at 10th positions

Statement D:- CORRECT

• The ovulatory follicle's granulosa cells, which produce estrogens in response to FSH, are the primary and essentially sole source of estradiol in the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle.

Statement E:- INCORRECT

• The aromatase enzyme, which is encoded by the Cyp19a1 gene and has an abnormally extensive regulatory area, produces estrogens.
• Two separate promoters, one for the brain and the other for the gonad, regulate the expression of aromatase in the majority of animals.

Therefore, the correct answer is A, B, and D.

Key Points

• Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that plays an essential role in the nervous system and endocrine systems.
• When the body needs to grow or repair tissues, the hypothalamus releases GHRH.
• This hormone signals to the anterior pituitary gland (another gland located in the brain) to produce and release the growth hormone (GH) into the bloodstream.
• Growth hormone is critical for many processes in the body, such as cell reproduction, cell regeneration, and growth.
• However, as with all biological processes, a balance is needed.
• Over-release of growth hormone could lead to conditions such as gigantism or acromegaly, while under-release could cause growth deficiencies.
• Here is where Somatostatin comes in.
• Somatostatin is also released by the hypothalamus, and its primary role is to prevent the over-release of several hormones including growth hormone, thus providing a counterbalancing effect to GHRH.
• When somatostatin is released, it inhibits the pituitary gland from releasing growth hormone into the bloodstream, effectively reducing the amount of growth hormone circulating in the body.
• In this way, it opposes the function of GHRH.

• Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release growth hormone.
• In contrast, Somatostatin inhibits growth hormone release, effectively counteracting the effects of GHRH.
• It serves as the body's natural check and balance mechanism to ensure appropriate levels of growth hormone in the body.

The correct answer is Steroids.

Explanation-

Steroid hormones are the hormones that do not have a supply store in the cells where they are synthesized.

Steroid hormones, which include cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone and estradiol among others, are synthesized in the adrenal cortex and gonads. These hormones are lipid-soluble and can easily cross the plasma membrane. Hence, after their synthesis, they are not stored but immediately released into the bloodstream.

Additional Information 

1.Catecholamines: These are a type of hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are present on top of the kidneys. The main catecholamines are dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline). After their synthesis, they are stored in vesicles within the cells of the adrenal medulla until they're needed. When the body perceives stress, these hormones are released into the bloodstream.

2. Insulin: This hormone is produced in the pancreas and its release into the bloodstream is triggered when the levels of glucose in your blood rise. Unlike many other hormones, insulin is not stored in the body. Instead, the body maintains a constant supply of insulin by continually producing it within the pancreas.

3. T3 and T4: These are thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland, located in the neck. T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) are stored in the thyroid gland and released as needed. In fact, these hormones can be stored for several weeks before your body uses them.

4. Steroid hormones: These hormones are synthesized from cholesterol in the adrenal cortex and gonads, which include testes in males and ovaries in females. Examples of steroid hormones include cortisol, aldosterone, progesterone, estrogens, and testosterone. Unlike catecholamines and thyroid hormones, steroid hormones are not stored in cells. This is because these hormones are lipid-soluble and can easily cross the plasma membrane. Therefore, after they are synthesized, they are immediately released into the bloodstream.

Concept:

• The Bartholin’s glands (or greater vestibular glands) are important organs of the female reproductive system.
• Danish anatomist Caspar Bartholin Secundus first described them in 1677.
• Their primary function is the production of a mucoid secretion that aids in vaginal and vulvar lubrication.
• The glands are located in the vulvar vestibule, at either side of the external orifice of the vagina.
• They are homologous to the bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands in males.

Explanation:

• The primary function of the Bartholin glands is the production of a mucoid secretion that lubricates the distal end of the vagina during intercourse.
• The glands become active after menarche and are non-palpable.
• Each gland is oval-shaped and measures, on average, 0.5 cm.
• A two-centimeter-long efferent duct connects each gland to the posterolateral aspect of the vaginal orifice (between the hymen and the labia minora).

hence the correct answer is option 1

The correct answer is Option 2 i.e. follicle-stimulating hormone

Key Points

• A protein called inhibin is secreted by the granulosa cells in women and the Sertoli cells in males.
• It decreases the amount of LH-releasing hormone in the hypothalamus and prevents the pituitary organ from producing and releasing follicle-stimulating hormone.
• Additionally, it prevents the ovaries from producing progesterone and the male gonads' ability to multiply spermatogonia.
• Understanding the pathophysiology of puberty, ovulation, menopause, and different kinds of infertility may be aided by inhibin measurements in biological fluids.

Explanation:

Option 1: Luteinizing hormone

• Inhibin B does not inhibit luteinizing hormone (LH).
• LH is another hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that plays an important role in regulating the reproductive system.
• In males, LH stimulates the production of testosterone by the Leydig cells in the testes, while in females, it triggers ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum. 

• Inhibin B inhibits follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion.
• FSH is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates the growth and maturation of follicles in the ovaries and seminiferous tubules in the testes.
• Inhibin B is produced by the granulosa cells in the ovaries and Sertoli cells in the testes.
• It acts as a negative feedback signal to the pituitary gland, inhibiting the secretion of FSH.
• This helps to regulate the growth and maturation of follicles and spermatogenesis.

• Inhibin B does not inhibit prolactin secretion.
• Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that plays a role in lactation and breast development. 

• Inhibin B does not inhibit thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion.
• TSH is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce and release thyroid hormones. 

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Concept:

• The adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of each kidney.
• Each adrenal gland is structurally and functionally divided into two main parts: the adrenal cortex (outer part) and the adrenal medulla (inner part).
• The adrenal cortex itself is organized into three distinct zones, each responsible for the production of different hormones:

• This is the outermost layer, which produces mineralocorticoids like aldosterone. It regulates electrolyte balance and blood volume.

Zona fasciculata:

• The zona fasciculata is in the middle and is the thickest of the three zones.
• This is the region of the adrenal cortex that secretes glucocorticoids, such as cortisol. Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that regulate a wide array of functions in the body, including metabolism, inflammatory response, immune function, and the body's response to stress.
• In response to stress, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulates the secretion of glucocorticoids.

• The innermost layer which secretes adrenal androgens.
• These hormones serve as precursors that are converted to other sex hormones in different tissues.

• This is the inner region of the adrenal gland, but it is not part of the adrenal cortex.
• The adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines like epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) and norepinephrine, which are stress-responsive hormones that help prepare the body for "fight or flight" reactions.

• This middle layer of the adrenal cortex is primarily responsible for producing and secreting glucocorticoids, including cortisol, which is the main glucocorticoid in humans.
• These hormones have numerous effects on the body, including the regulation of metabolism and immune response, as well as helping the body respond to stress.

Hence the correct answer is option 2