Final answer:
Glucocorticoids, including cortisol, corticosterone, and cortisone, promote stress resistance, anti-inflammatory responses, and gluconeogenesis in the liver, being secreted in response to ACTH as part of the body's stress response mechanism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group of endocrine secretions that promotes resistance to stress, provides an anti-inflammatory response, and increases gluconeogenesis in the liver are known as glucocorticoids. The three main glucocorticoids are cortisol, corticosterone and cortisone, which are released from the adrenal cortex in response to stress. They function by stimulating the synthesis of glucose and gluconeogenesis by liver cells and by promoting the release of fatty acids from adipose tissue to increase blood glucose levels and aid in managing energy resources during periods of stress. Additionally, glucocorticoids have anti-inflammatory properties and influence the immune response.
The secretion of glucocorticoids is stimulated when the hypothalamus releases a neurohormone that activates the release of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) from the pituitary gland which in turn stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce these hormones. This system operates on a negative feedback loop to ensure homeostasis. Overall glucocorticoids play a crucial role in the body's response to stress and in maintaining metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.