Read the case carefully and answer the question that follow :
Rahul turned 14 last month. He had a big birthday party and invited all his friends. He likes his school and friends in the society.
Rahul's father works in a big office and has been asked to shift from Delhi to Bangalore. This news has disturbed Rahul and he is showing erratic behaviour and has alienated himself from his friends.
He has frequent mood swings and also gets anxious everytime his parents try to talk about their life in Bangalore.
This news has also led Rahul to skip meals along with disturbed sleep patterns and poor academic performance. His parents don't know how to handle the situation and have been advised by Rahul's class teacher to see the school counsellor.
Rahul's psychological stress about relocating would increase the production of which two hormones in his body.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → adrenaline and cortisol
Option (1) serotonin and insulin — Incorrect. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that carries a message from one neuron to the next; its low activity is linked to depression. Insulin is a hormone of the pancreas that lowers the level of sugar in the blood. Neither is a stress hormone.
Option (2) cortisol and insulin — Incorrect. Cortisol is one of the two, but insulin is not a stress hormone; its work is to control blood sugar.
Option (3) adrenaline and thyroxin — Incorrect. Adrenaline is one of the two, but thyroxin is the hormone of the thyroid gland that sets the body’s rate of metabolism over long periods. It is not the hormone that rises in a stressed body.
Option (4) adrenaline and cortisol — Correct. Rahul’s worry about leaving Delhi is psychological stress. When the body is placed under physical or psychological stress, it increases the production of adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones produce marked changes in heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism and physical activity, which help for short periods of pressure but damage the body if they go on for long.
Note: The roles of the hormones insulin and thyroxin, in Options (1), (2) and (3), are not explained in the pre-rationalised NCERT, which NTA followed in 2023, and are not explained in the NCERT book (2025-26) either; they are explained here for the benefit of the students.
NCERT (2025-26): “Effects of Stress on Psychological Functioning and Health … Physiological Effects : When the human body is placed under physical or psychological stress, it increases the production of certain hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones produce marked changes in heart rate, blood pressure levels, metabolism and physical activity. Although, this physical reaction will help us to function more effectively when we are under pressure for short periods of time, it can be extremely damaging to the body in the long-term effects. Examples of physiological effects are release of epinephrine and norepinephrine, slowing down of the digestive system, expansion of air passages in the lungs, increased heart rate, and constriction of blood vessels.…” |