Aldosterone from the adrenal cortex causes sodium ions to be _____.

Aldosterone from the adrenal cortex causes sodium ions to be _____.

(a) excreted and potassium ions to be conserved

(b) excreted and potassium ions to be excreted

(c) conserved and potassium ions to be conserved

(d) conserved and potassium ions to be excreted.

Answer: (d) conserved and potassium ions to be excreted.

Aldosterone is mineral corticoid steroid hormone synthesized in the outer layer of adrenal glands. Primarily it acts as a reservoir of the body in regulating the levels of sodium and potassium in the human body. This produces the effect on the kidneys to retain sodium ions while removing potassium ions. This action is helpful in the maintenance of the balance of fluids in the body as well as blood pressure besides the proportion of sodium and potassium. When aldosterone concentration is high in the blood, then the kidneys conserve more Na+ ions and discharge more K+ ions through the formation of urine. This mechanism is useful in the prevention of what might be termed depolarization through loss of sodium ions which are needed in the regulation of blood volume and blood pressure and in the expulsion of potassium ions from the body.