Adrenaline

This lesson covers:

  1. Where adrenaline is released from, and what it does in the body

Adrenaline

Diagram showing the location of the adrenal glands on top of the kidneys.

Adrenaline is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands (which sit just on top of the kidneys).

When is adrenaline produced?

Illustration of a person cycling with adrenaline symbols indicating the fight or flight response.

Adrenaline is produced during the 'fight or flight' response, when you get scared, stressed, or need to exercise. It prepares the body for activity.

What does adrenaline do?

Illustration of a human heart showing its anatomy and structure.

1Increases heart rate

Illustration of a blood cell and a blood droplet on a black background.

2Increases blood pressure

Illustration of a muscular arm with a blood drop symbolising the fight or flight response triggered by adrenaline.

3Increases blood flow to muscles

Diagram showing the molecular structure of adrenaline with a blood droplet.

4Increases blood sugar (glucose) levels by stimulating the liver to break glycogen down into glucose

Which organ is adrenaline released from?

Thyroid gland

Adrenal gland

Liver

Pancreas

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What effect does adrenaline have on heart rate?

It increases heart rate

It decreaes heart rate

It has no effect on heart rate

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When is adrenaline released?

When you're scared

When you're happy

When you're sad

When you're resting

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Adrenaline causes changes in the body to prepare for a ‘fight or flight’ response.


Describe 3 of these changes. 

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Adrenaline causes the conversion of which substances? 

Glucose ➔ glycogen

Glycogen ➔ glucose

Glucose ➔ glucagon

Glucagon ➔ glucose

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