Final answer:
Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid hormone synthesized by the adrenal cortex. It controls the conservation of sodium ions and water in the body, and promotes the excretion of potassium ions. Absence of Aldosterone can lead to severe health conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid that plays a crucial role in the regulation of sodium and potassium ions in the body. This hormone, synthesized by the adrenal cortex, ensures that almost all of the sodium in the blood is reclaimed by the renal tubules. As sodium is reabsorbed, water follows to maintain osmotic balance, allowing aldosterone to manage water levels in the body fluids concurrently. Additionally, aldosterone stimulates potassium secretion simultaneously with sodium reabsorption.
Conversely, without aldosterone, sodium cannot be reabsorbed in the renal tubules, leading to it being fully excreted in urine. This also results in the daily potassium dietary intake not being secreted, causing a potentially hazardous rise in plasma K+ concentration. For instance, patients with Addison's disease, a condition characterized by adrenal cortex failure, are unable to produce aldosterone, leading to constant sodium loss in their urine. If not managed, this condition can have fatal consequences.
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