Question

Which of the following is a component that occurs ONLY during the short-term stress response?

Select one:

a. Liver cells are triggered to synthesize glucose as a source of energy for other tissues in the body.

b. Epinephrine is released from the adrenal gland and binds to receptors on target cells.

c. Cortisol is released from the adrenal gland and binds to receptors on target cells.

d. Hormonal signals bind to DNA to initiate gene transcription

e. ACTH is released by cells of the anterior pituitary gland and binds to receptors on the adrenal gland

Answer 1

The most appropriate answer for the question is option C ie cortisol is released from the adrenal gland and binds to the receptors on the target cells.

Reason: The question clearly emphasizes on the component that occurs ONLY during stress and so the 3rd option is right because Cortisol is the hormone released exclusively during stress response and it is also known as the stress hormone. Cortisol is released from the adrenal cortex and allows the body to continue to stay on high alert. Moreover cortisol is responsible for releasing glucose from liver after synthesizing as source of energy for other tissues in the body. In the liver, high cortisol levels increase gluconeogenesis and decrease glycogen synthesis. Gluconeogenesis is a metabolic pathway that results in the production of glucose from glucogenic amino acids, lactate, or glycerol 3- phosphate found in triglycerides. Moreover in stress response Cortisol also conrols the functioning of even epinephrine,which is responsible for only the alertness and increased fight or flight response during stress but is not involved for other functions in stress response .So it is clear that cortisol is the main hormone associated only with stress response.The other 2 options D and E are not involved only in stress but are general biological phenomenon.So option C is the correct answer.