Final answer:
Cortisol enters target cells and promotes the synthesis of enzymes strong in gluconeogenesis, leading to higher blood glucose and ATP production. It also exerts anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the immune system, which can be beneficial in the short term but detrimental with prolonged exposure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Interaction of Cortisol with Target Cells
When cortisol interacts with target cells, it stimulates several physiological processes. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone released in response to stress and lower blood-glucose concentration. It enters target cells and binds to glucocorticoid receptors, resulting in gene transcription and the increased synthesis of enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis. This action helps raise blood glucose levels and assist in metabolism. Additionally, cortisol leads to the breakdown of fats into fatty acids and the release of these acids into the bloodstream for ATP production. It also has potent anti-inflammatory effects through its ability to dampen the immune system response, which is useful short-term but may lead to increased susceptibility to illness during prolonged exposure
In the long-term stress response, ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) released from the pituitary gland triggers the secretion of cortisol from the adrenal cortex. Increased cortisol levels support the body's energy demands under stress by promoting the release of glucose and fatty acids into the bloodstream. However, chronic elevation in cortisol can lead to detrimental effects, including a weakened immune system and increased risk of illnesses such as depression. The effects are nuanced by the process of downregulation, where prolonged high levels of a hormone can cause cells to reduce the number of receptors for that hormone, thus becoming less sensitive to it.