Final answer:
The adrenal glands are key components of the body's response to stress; they consist of the adrenal cortex and medulla, producing corticosteroids and catecholamines respectively. Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, and norepinephrine, also known as noradrenaline, are produced by the adrenal medulla in response to stress.
Step-by-step explanation:
The adrenal glands are endocrine organs located atop the kidneys, crucial for managing the body's stress response, including blood pressure, water homeostasis, and electrolyte levels. They consist of two main parts: the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. The cortex produces corticosteroids, such as cortisol and aldosterone, which are involved in long-term stress management and electrolyte balance. The medulla produces catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine (also known as adrenaline and noradrenaline), which are responsible for the short-term stress or fight-or-flight response. The production of these hormones is stimulated by the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) released by the anterior pituitary gland.
Epinephrine and adrenaline are two names for the same molecule, with 'epinephrine' generally used in the United States and 'adrenaline' preferred in Great Britain. This differentiation originated because 'adrenalin' was a proprietary drug name in the U.S. Though no longer sold, the naming convention persists. Similarly, norepinephrine and noradrenaline refer to the same molecule, with 'norepinephrine' typically used in the scientific community of the U.S.