Read Stress Hormone Responses
A focused NSEB read for the stress hormone responses pattern. Learn the linked concept, then apply it in the source questions.
Living-system questions are solved by matching a structure or organism to its function, process and stated condition.
A gland sends a chemical message to a target
A gland sends a chemical message to a target
Identify the gland, its hormone and the effect separately. A deficiency or excess changes the normal response, not the gland’s location.
Stress Response
Adrenal medulla and sympathetic effects mobilize fuel. Acute threat activates sympathetic output and adrenal catecholamines. Epinephrine acts on liver and adipose tissue, digestive blood vessels constrict, and cardiac output increases. Glycogen formation does not increase; glycogen breakdown does. Thus (i), (ii), (v), (vi) are correct.
Stress Response
Stress hormone redirects metabolism and immune activity. Cortisol secretion follows a strong circadian rhythm, peaking around the early morning, so A is correct. It promotes gluconeogenesis and mobilises amino acids and fats during stress, so B is correct. Cortisol tends to support blood pressure and suppress immune/inflammatory responses, making C and D false.
Fight-or-flight responses
Sympathetic activation and catecholamines dilate bronchioles, redirect blood toward skeletal muscle and reduce gastrointestinal motility. Increased peristalsis is inconsistent with the acute fight-or-flight pattern.
OlympIQ exam lens
- ✓Adrenal medulla and sympathetic effects mobilize fuel
- ✓Stress hormone redirects metabolism and immune activity
Read the conditions in the stem carefully and use the stated model, labels, or assumptions before choosing an answer.
Ready to try the pattern?
100% coverage across the 3 linked questions.
Practise 3 linked questions