Question:
Aldosterone synthesis is stimulated by which of the following?
Aldosterone synthesis is stimulated by which of the following?
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Aldosterone excretes potassium, so high potassium is its strongest trigger.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- ACTH
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypernatremia
- Exogenous steroids
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Aldosterone is the main mineralocorticoid from the zona glomerulosa. Its secretion is driven, in decreasing order of potency, by hyperkalemia, angiotensin II, ACTH, and hyponatremia.
Step 2: The single most important and direct stimulus is a rise in plasma potassium (hyperkalemia). High extracellular potassium depolarises zona glomerulosa cells and triggers aldosterone release, which then promotes renal potassium excretion - the basis of body potassium regulation. So option (b) is correct.
Step 3: Distractor check - ACTH (a) only causes minor, diurnal aldosterone variation and is not a major physiological regulator. Hypernatremia (c) is wrong because aldosterone is stimulated by LOW sodium (hyponatremia), not high. Exogenous steroids (d) suppress the axis rather than stimulate aldosterone.
Step 4: Therefore hyperkalemia is the dominant stimulus for aldosterone synthesis.
Step 2: The single most important and direct stimulus is a rise in plasma potassium (hyperkalemia). High extracellular potassium depolarises zona glomerulosa cells and triggers aldosterone release, which then promotes renal potassium excretion - the basis of body potassium regulation. So option (b) is correct.
Step 3: Distractor check - ACTH (a) only causes minor, diurnal aldosterone variation and is not a major physiological regulator. Hypernatremia (c) is wrong because aldosterone is stimulated by LOW sodium (hyponatremia), not high. Exogenous steroids (d) suppress the axis rather than stimulate aldosterone.
Step 4: Therefore hyperkalemia is the dominant stimulus for aldosterone synthesis.
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