Which endocrine hormone is most closely associated with the long-term stress response and energy mobilization?

• A. Cortisol
• B. Adrenaline
• C. Insulin
• D. Thyroxine

Answer: (A)

Long-term stress relies on the HPA axis, with cortisol being the key hormone that sustains energy over extended periods. When stress persists, cortisol is released from the adrenal cortex and promotes gluconeogenesis, mobilizes amino acids from muscle, and stimulates fat breakdown to provide glucose and fatty acids for energy. It also helps maintain vascular tone for effective action of other stress hormones, while prioritizing immediate needs over growth or immune functions. Adrenaline, by contrast, drives rapid, short-term “fight-or-flight” responses, giving quick energy bursts but not the sustained energy supply cortisol provides. Thyroxine increases baseline metabolic rate more gradually, and insulin promotes storage rather than mobilization. So cortisol is the hormone most closely associated with the long-term stress response and energy mobilization.