L6: Cortisol

Question 1

cortisol

Answer 1

secreted from the adrenal cortex, stress hormone that plays a direct role in the mediation of long-term stress

Question 2

the control pathways for cortisol secretion

Answer 2

HPA pathway

Question 3

HPA pathway

Answer 3

corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
cortisol

Question 4

most important metabolic effect of cortisol

Answer 4

protection against hypoglycemia

Question 5

when blood glucose levels drop

Answer 5

the pancreas secretes glucagon to promote gluconeogenesis and glycogen breakdown

Question 6

in the absence of cortisol,

Answer 6

glucagon is unable to respond adequately to hypoglycemic challenge

Question 7

cortisol has a permissive effect on

Answer 7

glucagon and catecholamine activity

Question 8

cortisol is essential for life

Answer 8

animals whose adrenal glands have been removed die if exposed to any significant environment stress

Question 9

the permissive action on reactivity to catecholamines by cortisol also affects

Answer 9

blood pressure

Question 10

cortisol has permissive action on the reactivity to catecholamines by

Answer 10

smooth muscle cells that surround arterioles

Question 11

cortisol supresses

Answer 11

the immune system through multiple pathways

Question 12

in what ways does cortisol affect the immune system

Answer 12

cortisol prevents cytokine release and antibody production by white blood cells and cortisol inhibit the inflammatory response by decreasing leukocyte mobility and migration

Question 13

cortisol has been used as

Answer 13

anti-inflammatory drug for treating a variety of conditions: bee stings, pollen allergies and transplantation of organs

Question 14

common HPA pathologies

Answer 14

hormone deficiency (hypocortisolism) and hormone excess (hypercortisolism)

Question 15

uncommon cause of adrenal steroid disorders

Answer 15

abnormal tissue responsiveness

Question 16

symptoms of hypercortisolism

Answer 16

excess gluconeogenesis, hyperglycemia, muscle protein breakdown, lipolysis, tissue wasting, thin arms and legs, extra fat in the trunk and face, increased appetite and food intake, moon face, striations

Question 17

three types of hypercortisolism

Answer 17

primary, secondary, iatrogenic (physician-caused)

Question 18

primary hypercortisolism

Answer 18

caused by an adrenal tumor that autonomously secretes cortisol, there tumors are not under the control of pituitary ACTH

Question 19

secondary hypercortisolism

Answer 19

caused by a pituitary tumor that autonomously secretes ACTH, the tumor does not respond to negative feedback

Question 20

iatrogenic hypercortisolism

Answer 20

occurs secondary to cortisol therapy for some other condition

Question 21

hyposecretion of cortisol is __ than hypersecretion

Answer 21

much less common

Question 22

primary adrenal insufficiency

Answer 22

also known as Addison’s disease, results from the autoimmune destruction of the adrenal cortex

Question 23

Addison’s disease results in

Answer 23

the hyposecretion of all adrenal steroid hormones including aldosterone, resulting in an imbalance in Na+, K+ and water in the blood possibly leading to hypotension

Question 24

a characteristic of Addison’s disease

Answer 24

the elevation of serum ACTH levels due to the loss of negative feedback by cortisol

Question 25

in response to stress

Answer 25

the usual physiological functions of cortisol are enhanced as cortisol concentration in the plasma increase

Question 26

cortisol concentrations in the plasma lead to

Answer 26

gluconeogenesis, lipolysis, inhibition of insulin actions increase

Question 27

high cortisol concentrations also inhibit

Answer 27

nonessential processes, such as reproduction, during stressful situations and inhibit immune function

Question 28

Cushing’s syndrome

Answer 28

the result of chronically elevated plasma cortisol concentration