Cortisol is an important steroid with many roles. Describe some of these roles and how it carries them out

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The primary glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex is cortisol (known also as hydrocortisone) which accounts for over 95% of the effects on the body of this class of steroids. Cortisol is needed by cells for normal cellular function. Like epinephrine, it affects metabolism through the process of gluconeogenesis. It also somewhat reduces glucose use at the cellular level. The combined effect of gluconeogenesis and reduced cellular use of glucose is to increase the overall glucose concentration in the bloodstream.

Cortisol also promotes the liberation of fatty acids from fat stores in a process known as lipolysis for use as a fuel source and increases concentrations of blood amino acids (protein building blocks) in the bloodstream so they can be converted into glucose by the liver for muscle energy. This important steroid readies stress responses by increasing catecholamine synthesis at the neuronal level and by the adrenal medulla. It can sharpen memory functions of the hippocampus and increase sensitivity of the thalamus to sensory inputs. In addition, cortisol reduces inflammation and plays a role through a negative feedback loop in regulating central nervous system excesses. Along with psychological stressors, physical stressors such as intense heat and cold, surgical operations, and the experience of disease states will all increase cortisol levels.