Question

Which of these hormones is most likely to directly cause a drop in blood pressure? a. aldosterone b. antidiuretic hormone (ADH) c. erythropoietin d. atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH)

Short answer

The hormone that is most likely to directly cause a drop in blood pressure is d. atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH), as it causes blood vessels to dilate and lowers sodium and water levels in the body.

Step-by-step solution

Define Functions of Hormones

Let's briefly describe the function of each hormone: a. Aldosterone: It regulates the balance of sodium and potassium in the body, thereby controlling blood pressure. b. Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH): It helps maintain water balance by reducing water loss in urine, which in turn affects blood pressure. c. Erythropoietin: It triggers the production of red blood cells, which indirectly affects blood pressure. d. Atrial Natriuretic Hormone (ANH): It is released by the heart when blood volume and blood pressure increase. It causes blood vessels to expand (dilate) and lowers sodium and water levels in the body, which directly reduces blood pressure.

Identify The Hormone Directly Affecting Blood Pressure

From the description of their functions in Step 1, atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH) is the one that directly affects blood pressure by causing blood vessels to dilate and lowering sodium and water levels in the body. So, the correct answer is: d. atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH)