Video Transcript
State the adrenal hormone being
described. Released by the adrenal medulla,
this hormone works alongside noradrenaline, norepinephrine, to increase the heart
rate and levels of blood glucose in response to stress. (A) Adrenaline, epinephrine; (B)
cortisol; (C) aldosterone; or (D) progesterone.
This question asks us about a
hormone responsible for increasing heart rate and blood glucose levels when an
individual is subjected to a stressful situation. We are told that this hormone is
released from the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are endocrine
glands in the human body, responsible for releasing various chemical messengers
called hormones directly into the bloodstream to cause a wide range of different
effects.
Humans typically have two adrenal
glands, one above each kidney. The hormone in question is released
from the adrenal medulla, which is the innermost part of the adrenal gland,
surrounded by an outer cortex which releases different hormones with different
functions.
There are two main hormones that
are released from the adrenal medulla in response to acutely stressful situations:
noradrenaline, which is sometimes called norepinephrine, and adrenaline, which is
sometimes called epinephrine. These two hormones work together to
help the body respond to stress by increasing heart rate, blood glucose levels, and
even breathing rate among other bodily responses. This provides the body cells with
the oxygen and glucose they need for cellular respiration at a faster rate to
release the energy needed to fight through or escape from the stressful
scenario. This response to intense stress is
often called the fight-or-flight response.
As we are told that the hormone in
question works alongside noradrenaline to cause these effects, we can deduce the
correct answer to this question. The adrenal hormone being described
is (A): adrenaline, epinephrine.
