Final answer:
The adrenal medulla releases catecholamines like epinephrine and norepinephrine in response to sympathetic nervous stimulation during stress, which is true. These hormones are part of the fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, and shifting blood flow to key organs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the adrenal medulla is stimulated to release catecholamines during sympathetic autonomic nervous responses is True. The sympathetic nervous system triggers the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine from the adrenal medulla when the body confronts a stressful situation, activating the fight-or-flight response.
This release is facilitated by acetylcholine from preganglionic sympathetic nerve fibers that innervate the adrenal medulla. The neural signals that initiate this process originate from the hypothalamus. Catecholamines such as epinephrine and norepinephrine play a crucial role in preparing the body for rapid action.
They increase the heart rate, elevate blood pressure, and redirect blood flow to vital organs such as muscles, liver, and heart, ensuring that the body can react swiftly to danger or stress. It's interesting to note that sympathetic stimulation can lead to massive releases of these hormones, which, although they prepare the body for emergencies, can sometimes result in arrhythmias due to the increased rate of depolarization and shortened repolarization period in the heart muscles.