Describe the body’s stress response in terms of the actions of the adrenal cortex and medulla. What are the different hormones involved, where are they produced, what type of gland produces them, what type of chemical are they, and how do they contribute to the stress response?

Answer 1

I'm not sure how detailed an answer you need, but I will give you a little background information, and if you need more information, you can google it. Your stress responses are controlled by the central nervous system which is composed of a subdivision that can be divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system and are used to control the body's fight or flight or rest and digest responses. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for fight or flight responses associated with stress, and use hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla. The hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla are tyrosine derivative hormones called epinephrine and norepinephrine, also known as adrenaline and noradrenaline. Since during times of stress the human body's blood pressure rises and your body requires more energy, your body also secretes hormones from the adrenal cortex to cause these types of responses. Your blood pressure rises and you are able to burn more energy because of the catecholamines, aldosterone and cortisol, released released from the adrenal cortex. The glucocorticoid, aldosterone, plays a role in gluconeogenesis increasing blood concentrations of glucose, while the mineralocorticoid, cortisol, causes uptake and secretion of ions in the kidneys causing a slight increase in blood pressure. You should also know that the release of hormones from the adrenal cortex are controlled by ACTH which is released from the anterior pituitary, and the catecholamines are also tyrosine derivative hormones.