When under stress, what hormone do the adrenal glands secrete?

The hormone that the adrenal glands secrete in response to stress is cortisol. This hormone plays a critical role in the body's stress response. When an individual faces a stressful situation, the hypothalamus signals the adrenal glands to produce and release cortisol. This hormone helps to maintain fluid balance, manage metabolism, and suppress non-essential functions to focus energy on managing the stressor.

Cortisol is often referred to as the "stress hormone" because its levels rise in response to stress. It helps to prepare the body for a "fight or flight" response by increasing blood sugar levels, enhancing brain function, and suppressing the immune response. This allows the body to respond effectively to immediate challenges.

While adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) is indeed released by the adrenal glands during stress and is responsible for immediate physiological changes like increased heart rate and energy availability, cortisol has a broader and more sustained role in managing stress.

Thus, the correct choice here is associated with the longer-term effects of stress, while the other options do not align with the adrenal glands' primary role during such situations.