What is the primary action of cortisol in the body?
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the primary action of cortisol in the body?
Promotes inflammation
Increases blood glucose levels
Stimulates insulin secretion
Decreases protein synthesis
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the primary action of cortisol in the body?
Step 1: Understand that cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands.
Step 2: Know that cortisol is classified as a glucocorticoid hormone.
Step 3: Learn that one of the main functions of cortisol is to increase blood glucose levels.
Step 4: Recognize that cortisol does this by promoting a process called gluconeogenesis, which is the creation of new glucose from non-carbohydrate sources.
Step 5: Understand that cortisol also inhibits glucose uptake in non-target tissues, meaning it prevents certain cells from using glucose.
