Question:

Aldosterone plays a central role maintenance of:
(A). Hydrogen ion concentration
(B). Effective circulating fluid volume
(C). Potassium balance
(D). Osmolality of body fluids
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Show Hint

Remember the primary rule of aldosterone: "Save Sodium, Spurn Potassium".
By reabsorbing $\text{Na}^+$, it pulls water with it to maintain blood volume (circulating fluid volume), while throwing out $\text{K}^+$ to prevent hyperkalemia.
  • (A) and (B) only.
  • (B) and (C) only.
  • (A) and (D) only.
  • (B) and (D) only.
Show Solution
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid steroid hormone synthesized and secreted by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex.
It acts on the distal convoluted tubules and cortical collecting ducts of the kidneys to regulate electrolyte and water balance.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us analyze the physiological actions of aldosterone:
1. Sodium and Water Retention: Aldosterone upregulates the basolateral $\text{Na}^+/\text{K}^+$-ATPase pumps and apical epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) in the principal cells of the renal collecting ducts.
This promotes the reabsorption of sodium ($\text{Na}^+$) from the tubular fluid back into the blood.
Water follows sodium osmotically, which increases extracellular fluid volume and maintains effective circulating fluid volume (B).
2. Potassium Excretion: At the same time, aldosterone increases the expression of apical potassium channels (ROMK), promoting the excretion of potassium ($\text{K}^+$) into the urine. This is vital for maintaining potassium balance (C).
While it also promotes $\text{H}^+$ secretion via intercalated cells (A), its *central, primary* role is sodium/potassium and blood volume regulation.
Osmolality of body fluids (D) is primarily regulated by Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH/Vasopressin), which alters water permeability independently of solutes, whereas aldosterone reabsorbs water and sodium proportionally, keeping osmolality relatively stable.
Thus, (B) and (C) represent the central maintenance roles of aldosterone.

Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct combination is (B) and (C) only, corresponding to option (B).
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