Cortisol is produced by the: Group of answer choices
A Adrenal Cortex
B Adrenal Medulla
C Anterior Pituitary
D Gland
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Adrenal Cortex.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, which is the outer layer of the adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys. The adrenal cortex produces a variety of hormones, including glucocorticoids like cortisol, mineralocorticoids like aldosterone, and small amounts of sex hormones. Cortisol is often referred to as the “stress hormone” because its levels increase in response to stress, helping the body manage and adapt to stressful situations.
Cortisol plays several vital roles in the body, including regulating metabolism by promoting the breakdown of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, ensuring the body has adequate energy during stress. It also helps control the immune response, suppressing inflammation to prevent excessive tissue damage. Additionally, cortisol is involved in controlling the body’s blood pressure by influencing sodium retention and fluid balance.
The production of cortisol is regulated by a feedback system involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands, known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which signals the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol. When cortisol levels are high enough, they inhibit further release of CRH and ACTH in a negative feedback loop, ensuring cortisol levels do not get too high.
In contrast, the adrenal medulla, located beneath the adrenal cortex, produces different hormones, such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are crucial for the body’s fight-or-flight response. The anterior pituitary gland, part of the brain’s endocrine system, secretes hormones like ACTH but does not produce cortisol itself.