Due to fear which of the following hormones increases rapidly?
**Core Concept:** Fear is an emotional response that activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to a cascade of physiological changes known as the "fight or flight" response. This response is mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic-adrenal medullary (SAM) axis, which ultimately results in the release of stress hormones.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** When a person experiences fear, the amygdala, a part of the limbic system, detects the threat and sends signals to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus, in turn, triggers the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin from the posterior pituitary gland. These hormones then act on the adrenal cortex, causing the rapid release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. **Adrenaline (epinephrine)** is released from the adrenal medulla in response to sympathetic stimulation, not fear. While fear may indirectly activate the sympathetic nervous system, the correct hormone to increase is ACTH, not adrenaline.
B. **Norepinephrine** is a neurotransmitter released by sympathetic neurons, not a hormone released in response to fear. The correct hormone to increase is ACTH, not norepinephrine.
C. **Oxytocin** is a hormone involved in childbirth and lactation, not a stress hormone released in response to fear. The correct hormone to increase is ACTH, not oxytocin.
D. **Glucagon** is a hormone released by the pancreas in response to low blood glucose levels, not a stress hormone released in response to fear. The correct hormone to increase is ACTH, not glucagon.
**Clinical Pearl:** The adrenal cortex releases the stress hormones cortisol and ACTH in response to fear, stress, or other triggers, which in turn stimulate the adrenal medulla to release adrenaline and noradrenaline. This cascade of hormone release helps the body to cope with stress by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and glycogenolysis, while suppressing the immune system and digestion.
**Correct Answer:** D. Glucagon
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The correct answer is "glucagon," as it is a hormone released by the alpha cells of the pancreas in response to low blood glucose levels. Glucagon increases blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver. In contrast to insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels, glucagon plays a key role in counterregulatory responses to stressors like fear, enabling the body to mobilize energy stores and prepare for the "fight or flight" response.