Cortisol, aldosterone, progesterone, and 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ are key steroid hormones with specific synthesis sites in the body. The correct matching identifies these sites accurately for exam preparation like GATE Life Sciences.

Question Breakdown

List I (Steroid Hormones):

• A. Cortisol (glucocorticoid regulating stress and metabolism)​

• B. Aldosterone (mineralocorticoid controlling sodium/potassium balance)​

• C. Progesterone (supports pregnancy, from corpus luteum)​

• D. 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ (active vitamin D form, from kidney)​

List II (Sites of Synthesis):

• I. Kidney

• II. Adrenal – zona fasciculata

• III. Adrenal – zona glomerulosa

• IV. Corpus luteum

Correct Matches

• A-II: Cortisol from adrenal zona fasciculata.

• B-III: Aldosterone from adrenal zona glomerulosa.​

• C-IV: Progesterone primarily from corpus luteum (ovary post-ovulation).

• D-I: 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ activated in kidney from 25-hydroxyvitamin D.​

Answer: Option 3 (A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I)

Option Analysis

• Option 1 (A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV): Wrong. Cortisol not from kidney (I); aldosterone not zona fasciculata (II); progesterone not zona glomerulosa (III).

• Option 2 (A-II, B-I, C-III, D-IV): Wrong. Aldosterone not kidney (I); progesterone not zona glomerulosa (III); 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ not corpus luteum (IV).​

• Option 3 (A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I): Correct. Matches all sites precisely.

• Option 4 (A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II): Wrong. Cortisol not zona glomerulosa (III); aldosterone not corpus luteum (IV); progesterone not kidney (I).

Steroid hormones synthesis sites are crucial for molecular biology and biochemistry exams like GATE Life Sciences. This guide solves the matching question on cortisol, aldosterone, progesterone, and 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ sites, with detailed explanations for competitive prep.

Cortisol Synthesis

Cortisol, a glucocorticoid, is synthesized in the adrenal cortex’s zona fasciculata from cholesterol via pregnenolone. ACTH from the pituitary regulates it via the HPA axis. Key for stress response and glucose metabolism.

Aldosterone Synthesis

Aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid, originates in the adrenal cortex’s zona glomerulosa. It maintains electrolyte balance, stimulated by angiotensin II and high potassium. Distinct from cortisol’s zone.​

Progesterone Synthesis

Progesterone is mainly produced in the corpus luteum of the ovary after ovulation, supporting implantation. Also from placenta in pregnancy; minor adrenal role irrelevant here.

1,25-(OH)₂D₃ Synthesis

1,25-(OH)₂D₃ (calcitriol) is the active vitamin D form, synthesized in the kidney by 1α-hydroxylase on 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Regulates calcium absorption; not a classic steroid but derived similarly.​

This matching reinforces adrenal zoning and endocrine pathways for exams.