During the alarm stage, which hormone is released by the adrenal medulla?

During the alarm stage, which hormone is released by the adrenal medulla?

• A. Epinephrine and norepinephrine
• B. Cortisol
• C. ADH
• D. ACTH

Answer: (A)

During the alarm stage, the body activates the fight-or-flight response through the sympathetic nervous system, which prompts the adrenal medulla to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. These catecholamines act quickly to prepare the body: heart rate and force of contraction increase, blood pressure rises, airways widen, and energy stores are mobilized for rapid action. Cortisol comes from the adrenal cortex and is released more slowly to sustain energy over time, so it’s associated with later stages of the stress response rather than the immediate alarm. ADH (vasopressin) is produced by the pituitary and regulates water balance, not released by the adrenal medulla in this moment. ACTH from the pituitary stimulates cortisol release from the adrenal cortex, not the medulla.

During the alarm stage, the body activates the fight-or-flight response through the sympathetic nervous system, which prompts the adrenal medulla to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. These catecholamines act quickly to prepare the body: heart rate and force of contraction increase, blood pressure rises, airways widen, and energy stores are mobilized for rapid action. Cortisol comes from the adrenal cortex and is released more slowly to sustain energy over time, so it’s associated with later stages of the stress response rather than the immediate alarm. ADH (vasopressin) is produced by the pituitary and regulates water balance, not released by the adrenal medulla in this moment. ACTH from the pituitary stimulates cortisol release from the adrenal cortex, not the medulla.