Before You Begin
Question #45436
The Question
The adrenal medulla is embryologically and functionally considered a modified sympathetic ganglion. If a specific pharmacological agent selectively blocks voltage-gated channels on the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla, what will be the most direct physiological consequence during an acute stress response?
Options
- A.
Preganglionic neurons will release acetylcholine, but chromaffin cells will fail to exocytose catecholamines into the bloodstream.
- B.
Acetylcholine will fail to bind to the nicotinic receptors on the chromaffin cells, preventing their depolarization.
- C.
The adrenal medulla will shift to producing glucocorticoids to compensate for the lack of adrenaline release.
- D.
The synthesis of adrenaline from noradrenaline will be completely inhibited, as the conversion enzyme is strictly -dependent.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Adrenaline|Acetylcholine|Calcium_Homeostasis
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often memorize that the adrenal medulla secretes adrenaline during 'fight or flight' but fail to connect it to the cellular mechanism of Neural Control (Synaptic Transmission).
By treating the adrenal medulla as a modified ganglion, the student must deduce that hormone release here is an exocytotic event strictly dependent on depolarization-secretion coupling via calcium influx.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Chemical Coordination and Integration - Class 11 |
| Concept | Adrenal Cortex vs Medulla |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |