Advanced Pathophysiology: Cancer Cells

Advanced Pathophysiology
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Advanced Pathophysiology catecholamines and cortisol similarities and differences
Explain what physiologic actions catecholamines and cortisol have in common and in what ways they differ in their actions.
Present an argument for why one 60-year old individual develops cancer and another 60-year old with identical promoters does not develop cancer.
Catecholamines are compounds synthesized by the chromaffin cells of the adrenal glands and stored mainly in the marrow of the adrenal glands. They catecholamines in the bloodstream can be used as neurotransmitters and / or hormones, where they activate a series of metabolic pathways in preparation to deal with dangerous situations when there is fight-or-flight response (Porth & Gaspard, 2015). Catecholamines act on blood vessels kidney, liver, and the heart while they may increase or decrease the heart rate, glucose levels or constrict and dilate blood vessels Response to stress triggers a chain of reactions, which influence the body's metabolism to prepare itself before danger, and this response is through the sympathetic-adrenal system activating the body's sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and stimulating the release of stress hormones like cortisol. Glucocorticoids like cortisol are produced in the adrenal cortex, and the steroid hormone results in increase in glucose, which can be used to fuel brain and provide energy to muscles during stressful period. Stimulation of catecholamines, which increase the blood glucose by increasing the conversion of muscle and liver glycogen in blood glucose to respond to energy needs and also results in reduced insulin secretion by the pancreas. Similarly, like cortisol affects glucose levels where body increases cortisol level to mobilize energy reserves while glucose is in...