What type of hormone is Aldosterone?

Aldosterone is classified as a mineralocorticoid, which makes option B the correct choice. Mineralocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex that primarily regulate sodium and potassium levels in the body, thus playing a crucial role in maintaining blood pressure and fluid balance. Aldosterone specifically promotes the reabsorption of sodium and the excretion of potassium in the kidneys, which helps to control the volume of extracellular fluid and blood pressure.

Understanding its physiological role further underscores why it fits into the mineralocorticoid category, distinct from other types of hormones. Glucocorticoids, for instance, primarily influence glucose metabolism and have different stress-response functions, while corticosteroids is a broader term that encompasses both glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Androgens are hormones that are primarily involved in the development of male characteristics and reproductive activity, which is separate from the functions of aldosterone. Therefore, the specific regulatory actions of aldosterone on electrolyte balance affirm its classification as a mineralocorticoid.