Aldosterone, a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, primarily influences the balance of sodium and water in the body.
The correct answer is: c) conserved and water to be conserved.
Aldosterone acts on the kidneys, promoting the reabsorption of sodium ions from the urine back into the blood. When sodium is reabsorbed, water also follows due to osmosis, which leads to the conservation of water in the body. This mechanism helps to regulate blood pressure and maintain fluid balance in response to various physiological demands.