Nicotine stimulates the adrenal gland to release:
(A) Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
(B) Adrenaline
(C) Estrogen
(D) Nor-adrenaline
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (B) and (D) only
Nicotine is an alkaloid in tobacco. It acts on the adrenal gland, whose medulla releases the two hormones of the ‘fight or flight’ response. These raise the blood pressure and the heart rate.
(A) Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) — Incorrect. TSH is made by the anterior pituitary, not the adrenal gland.
(B) Adrenaline — Correct. Nicotine makes the adrenal gland release adrenaline into the blood.
(C) Estrogen — Incorrect. Estrogen is secreted mainly by the ovaries.
(D) Nor-adrenaline — Correct. Nor-adrenaline is released along with adrenaline.
NCERT Extract:
Drugs and Alcohol Abuse – “Smoking also paves the way to hard drugs. Tobacco has been used by human beings for more than 400 years. It is smoked, chewed or used as a snuff. Tobacco contains a large number of chemical substances including nicotine, an alkaloid. Nicotine stimulates adrenal gland to release adrenaline and nor-adrenaline into blood circulation, both of which raise blood pressure and increase heart rate.”