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In a stressful situation, which axis is primarily activated to increase cortisol levels?

A.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

B.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

C.

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

D.

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: The HPA axis is the primary hormonal axis activated during stress, with CRH → ACTH → cortisol resulting in increased cortisol levels.
B. Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis: The HPG axis controls reproductive hormones and is not the primary axis for acute cortisol-mediated stress responses.
C. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system: The RAAS helps regulate blood pressure and volume (aldosterone) and can be activated in some stressors but is not the main system for raising cortisol.
D. Sympathetic nervous system: The sympathetic nervous system mediates the fast "fight-or-flight" response (epinephrine/norepinephrine) but the slower hormonal increase in cortisol is primarily via the HPA axis.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. The hypothalamus is posterior to the pituitary gland:The hypothalamus is actually superior (above) and connected to the pituitary; it is not located posterior to the pituitary.
B. The hypothalamus is located within the sella turcica:The sella turcica is the bony depression in the sphenoid bone that houses the pituitary gland, not the hypothalamus, which lies superior to it in the diencephalon.
C. The pituitary gland is superior to the hypothalamus:The pituitary lies inferior to the hypothalamus; it is not superior.
D. The pituitary gland is connected to the hypothalamus by the infundibulum:The infundibulum (pituitary stalk) physically connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary, allowing neural and vascular communication between them.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Positive feedback from the adrenal medulla.:The adrenal medulla releases catecholamines (epinephrine/norepinephrine) and does not provide the primary control mechanism for pituitary hormone secretion.
B. Direct nerve impulses from the thalamus.:The thalamus is a relay station for sensory information and does not directly send the neural signals that regulate pituitary hormone release.
C. Negative feedback from target organs.:Target-organ hormones (e.g., cortisol, thyroid hormones, sex steroids) feed back to the hypothalamus and pituitary to decrease releasing/trophic hormone secretion, which is the principal control mechanism.
D. Blood pressure levels.:Blood pressure can influence certain endocrine responses (e.g., via RAAS) but is not the primary mechanism controlling overall pituitary hormone secretion.

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