OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

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Study for the OCR GCSE Biology Exam. Use multiple choice questions and quiz flashcards with explanations and hints. Excel in your exams!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is adrenaline?

A neurotransmitter involved in muscle contraction
A hormone released by the adrenal glands
A type of digestive enzyme
Vitamin produced in the skin

The correct answer is: A hormone released by the adrenal glands

Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a hormone produced and released by the adrenal glands, which are located on top of each kidney. It plays a crucial role in the body's fight-or-flight response, preparing the body to respond to stressful situations. When released, adrenaline increases heart rate, boosts energy supplies, and enhances the blood flow to muscles, among other effects. This rapid response is essential for survival in potentially dangerous situations, as it enables the body to react quickly. The other options refer to different biological substances and processes. For instance, neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals across synapses between neurons and are involved in various functions, including muscle contraction, but they are not adrenaline. Digestive enzymes are proteins that help break down food in the digestive system, while vitamins are organic compounds vital for various biochemical functions that can be synthesized in the body or obtained from diet. Therefore, only the option identifying adrenaline as a hormone released by the adrenal glands accurately captures its definition and role in the body.