Final answer:
Cortisol plays a significant role in the long-term stress response, promoting energy production and glucose synthesis. It can affect behavior by enhancing the recall of stressful events, but high levels of cortisol can suppress the immune system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of cortisol in stress response is a focus for understanding how hormones influence human behavior. Cortisol is one of the corticosteroids released by the adrenal cortex during long-term stress response. Triggered by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary gland, cortisol promotes the breakdown of fat into fatty acids for ATP production and stimulates glucose synthesis. Importantly, cortisol also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can suppress the immune system when produced in high quantities.
A study example illustrating the impact of cortisol on behavior is research on how increased cortisol levels can heighten memory recall of stressful events. Individuals subjected to stressful situations often exhibit higher plasma cortisol concentrations, which correlate with their memory performance for the stressful experience. This indicates cortisol's role in modulating aspects of human cognition during stressful times.
Overall, cortisol is crucial for managing metabolism and the body's response to stress, but if its levels are not regulated properly, it can lead to negative effects on the immune system and overall health.