Final answer:
ANP is a hormone produced by the heart that helps regulate blood volume, pressure, and sodium levels by affecting kidney function and inhibiting certain other hormones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hormone atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is produced by specialized endocrine cells located in the walls of the atria of the heart.
These cells release ANP in response to increased blood volume, which can stretch the atrial walls. The release of ANP causes a decrease in blood volume, blood pressure, and blood sodium concentration by acting on the kidneys to reduce the reabsorption of Na+. It also inhibits the release of renin, aldosterone, and antidiuretic hormone (ADH), all of which are associated with the retention of water and an increase in blood pressure.
Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) or atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a natriuretic peptide hormone secreted from the cardiac atria that in humans is encoded by the NPPA gene.
Natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP, and CNP) are a family of hormone/paracrine factors that are structurally related.
The main function of ANP is causing a reduction in expanded extracellular fluid (ECF) volume by increasing renal sodium excretion. ANP is synthesized and secreted by cardiac muscle cells in the walls of the atria in the heart.
These cells contain volume receptors which respond to increased stretching of the atrial wall due to increased atrial blood volume.