One of the roles of stress hormones is to influence what aspect of metabolism?

Stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, play a critical role in the body's metabolic response to stress. One of their primary functions is to increase glucose metabolism. During periods of stress, the body requires a rapid source of energy to respond effectively, whether that be for a fight-or-flight response or dealing with a challenging situation.

To facilitate this, stress hormones stimulate gluconeogenesis, which is the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources in the liver. They also promote glycogenolysis, the breakdown of glycogen into glucose. This ensures that the body has an immediate supply of glucose available in the bloodstream for energy use, particularly by vital organs like the brain and muscles during stress.

In contrast, the roles of the other processes mentioned do not align with the typical action of stress hormones. Muscle synthesis tends to be decreased during stress, as the focus shifts from growth and recovery towards immediate survival needs. Fat breakdown may actually be stimulated to provide fatty acids as an energy source, rather than decreased. Lastly, while nutrient transport could be influenced indirectly, it is not a primary role of stress hormones in the context of metabolism under stress. Thus, the emphasis on increasing glucose metabolism effectively highlights the physiological adaptations to stress.