BIOLOGY

PROJECT
Adrenal Gland

Name - Reshikha Balaji

Class – XI G
Roll No. 29
Admission no.: 15913
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my sincere gratitude towards our
principal, Harish Sanduja, of Birla Public School and the entire
school management for presenting this opertunity.

Secondly, I would like to give a special thanks to my Biology

teacher, Mrs. Rajasree Sadras, who gave me this golden
opportunity to do this wonderful project on the topic, Adrenal
Gland. Doing this project has made me excited to venture into
the biology field in the future.

Lastly, I would like to appreciate my family and friends for

helping me complete this project within the given time frame.
 INDEX
s.no Topic p.no.
.
1. Introduction 1

2. Location and 2
structure
3. Function 3

4. Disorders and 4
Diseases
5. Bibliography 5
 Introduction
Adrenal glands are endocrine glands located on top of your
kidneys. They are also known as suprarenal glands, are small,
triangle-shaped glands that are located on top of each of your two
kidneys. They’re a part of your endocrine system and produce
certain hormones that help regulate several important bodily
functions, including:
 Metabolism (how your body transforms and manages energy
from the food you eat).
 Immune system.
 Blood pressure.
 Response to Stress.
 Development of sexual characteristics.

Your adrenal glands are composed of two parts: the cortex

(outer region) and the medulla (inner part). Each part is
responsible for producing different hormones.

What is endocrine system?

Your endocrine system is a network of several glands that create

and secrete (release) hormones.
 Location and Structure
The human body has two adrenal glands that are
located on top of each of our kidneys. The kidneys
are located underneath the ribcage on each side of
the spine.
Adrenal glands are normally about a half-inch high
and three inches long. They’re shaped like rounded
triangles. Adrenal glands are composed of two parts —
the cortex and the medulla — which are each
responsible for producing different hormones.
 Function
The adrenal glands produce a variety of hormones.
These hormones are very crucial for the normal
functioning of the body. For instance, the glands
secrete cortisol, which has anti-inflammatory properties
and aids the immune system. The adrenal gland also
helps to regulate metabolism and blood pressure
through various other hormones.
The adrenal gland secretes hormones like:
 Epinephrine: Also called adrenaline, this hormone
rapidly responds to stress by increasing the heart
rate and raising blood glucose levels in the blood.
 Norepinephrine: Also called noradrenaline, this
hormone works with epinephrine in reacting to stress.
Its primary function is to mobilize the body and brain
for action.
 Hydrocortisone: It is commonly known as cortisol
or a steroid hormone. It is involved in regulating
body functions like the conversion of fats, and
carbohydrates to energy and also plays a vital role
in other metabolic processes.
 Corticosterone: This hormone works with
hydrocortisone to control the immune response and
prevents inflammatory reactions.
Disorders and diseases
Adrenal Gland disorders appear when not enough
hormones or inadequate hormones are produced by the
adrenal glands. Even abnormal growths or tumours can
cause certain illness. Like:

 Cushing’s Syndrome is a condition where the cortisol

levels in the body are very high. The cause can be
a tumour in the adrenal gland or the pituitary gland.
 Adrenocortical carcinoma is a cancerous tumour that
usually develops in the outer layer of the adrenal
gland. This type of tumour is typically found years
after they have spread to other organs in the body.
 Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is a genetic
disorder characterized by very low levels of cortisol
production. The people inflicted with this condition
may also have other hormonal imbalances where
their bodies may make very little aldosterone, but
too much androgen.
 Addison’s Disease is caused when adrenal glands
produce insufficient cortisol or aldosterone. It results
in weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, nausea,
etc. In 70% of cases, Addisone disease is caused
due to autoimmune disorder, where the body
mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands. As a result,
the adrenal gland does not produce the hormone
aldosterone in sufficient quantities.
 Bibliography
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23005-
adrenal-gland
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrenal_gland
- https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-
terms/def/adrenal-gland
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-
diseases/-/media/ksw
images/adrenalglanddiagram.ashx?
h=&w=&hash=BB7406B83D322CE01DCB0CF18F65F8
DC
- https://byjus.com/biology/adrenal-gland/
- https://www.adrenal.com/adrenal-gland/function
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-
planetary-sciences/adrenal-gland
- https://www.britannica.com/science/adrenal-gland