Cortisol

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/cortisol

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the class of hormone?Steroid hormone; Glucocorticoid
2. What is the primary site of synthesis?Zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex
3. What is cortisol and why does my body need it?Cortisol is a hormone that acts like a tiny alarm bell, helping the body react to stress and keep energy levels steady.
4. Where does cortisol come from in the body?It is made in the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys, and its production is controlled by signals from the brain.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis: The neuroendocrine system that controls the body's response to stress and regulates cortisol production.
Diurnal Rhythm: A biological cycle that repeats approximately every 24 hours, influencing hormone levels and physiological processes.
Immunomodulation: The ability of a substance to alter the immune system's activity, either by stimulating or suppressing it.