When one hormone opposes the action of another hormone it is called
A permissive
B synergistic
C antagonistic
D circulating attack
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is C antagonistic.
Hormones can interact with each other in various ways, and one of those interactions is antagonism. When one hormone opposes the action of another, it is referred to as antagonistic. For example, insulin and glucagon are two hormones with antagonistic effects on blood glucose levels. Insulin lowers blood glucose by facilitating its uptake into cells, while glucagon raises blood glucose by stimulating the liver to release stored glucose. These hormones work in opposite directions, maintaining homeostasis by ensuring blood glucose levels remain stable.
In contrast, permissive interactions occur when the presence of one hormone is required for another hormone to exert its full effect. For instance, thyroid hormones can increase the effect of certain hormones like epinephrine on target cells, making thyroid hormones permissive to epinephrine’s action.
A synergistic interaction occurs when two or more hormones work together to produce a greater effect than they would individually. An example of this would be the combined action of estrogen and progesterone in the menstrual cycle, where both hormones together prepare the uterus for pregnancy.
Lastly, circulating attack is not a recognized term in endocrinology and seems unrelated to hormone interactions. Thus, the most accurate term for when one hormone opposes the action of another is antagonistic. This balance of antagonistic and synergistic hormone actions is crucial for regulating various physiological processes in the body, maintaining homeostasis and proper bodily function.