What effect does the hormone epinephrine have during a fight-or-flight response?

During the fight-or-flight response, the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, plays a crucial role in preparing the body to react to perceived threats or stressors. One of the primary effects of epinephrine is its ability to increase blood glucose levels. This is achieved by stimulating the liver to break down glycogen into glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream. Increased blood glucose provides immediate energy to muscles and vital systems, enabling a quick response to the threat.

In contrast, the other options highlight processes that are not aligned with the effects of epinephrine during this physiological reaction. For example, a decrease in heart rate would not be conducive to handling a stressor; instead, epinephrine typically increases heart rate to enhance blood flow to muscles. Similarly, the stimulation of digestion is contrary to the fight-or-flight response, as energy is diverted away from non-essential functions like digestion to prioritize survival. Lastly, increasing urine output is not a response linked to epinephrine; in this scenario, the body conserves resources for immediate needs rather than focusing on waste elimination. Therefore, the correct understanding of epinephrine’s role in mobilizing energy during acute stress is accurately captured by its function in raising blood glucose levels.