Question

1. For cortisol:

a. What causes the release of cortisol?

b. Use a diagram to show how the release of cortisol is controlled

c. What is the role cortisol in the acute stress response?

d. What are the possible effects of highly elevated levels of cortisol during prolonged stress?

Please give a detailed answer. Add supportive equations or flow diagrams if possible.

Answer 1

a,

Stress, trauma, emotions are causes the release of cortisol. While stress occur hypothalamus send signals to adrenal cortex to release cortisol.

b,

Due to the stress or trauma brain send signals to hypothalamus. Hypothalamus produce the corticopin releasing factor(CFR) it stimulate the anterior pilutary to produce the hormone known as adrenocorticotropic hormone. This stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol. Cortisol regulate its own secretion through negative feedback control by inhibiting the release of CRF from hypothalamus and ACTH from anterior pitutary.

c,

Cortisol increases the glucose level in blood and the increased amount of glucose in blood utilized by the brain to promote the release of substance which help the tissues to repair.

d,

Elevated level of cortisol will lead to high blood pressure, increased heart rate, muscle weakness, rapod weight gain and symptoms of hyperglycemia.