Endocrine System & Hormone Balance Flashcards

What is the normal daily (diurnal) pattern of cortisol?

Answer: Highest in the morning, lowest around midnight

Cortisol peaks shortly after waking (cortisol awakening response) and falls toward night.

Which adrenal structure produces epinephrine and norepinephrine?

Answer: Adrenal medulla

Chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla secrete catecholamines.

Which vitamin is found in particularly high concentration in the adrenal glands and used during stress?

Answer: Vitamin C

Adrenals store high vitamin C, which is depleted during cortisol production.

Aldosterone primarily regulates which pair of minerals?

Answer: Sodium and potassium

Aldosterone promotes sodium retention and potassium excretion in the kidneys.

What is the effect of sustained elevated cortisol on blood glucose?

Answer: It raises blood glucose via gluconeogenesis

Cortisol stimulates liver gluconeogenesis and reduces tissue insulin sensitivity.

All steroid hormones, including cortisol and sex hormones, are synthesized from which molecule?

Answer: Cholesterol

Cholesterol is converted to pregnenolone, the parent steroid hormone.

In the HPA axis, which is the correct order of signaling?

Answer: Hypothalamus (CRH) → pituitary (ACTH) → adrenal (cortisol)

CRH triggers ACTH release, which stimulates adrenal cortisol production.