Which hormones are known as catecholamines?

The correct identification of catecholamines centers on specific hormones produced primarily by the adrenal glands in response to stress. Epinephrine and norepinephrine are the two main hormones classified as catecholamines. These hormones play crucial roles in the body's "fight or flight" response, which prepares the body to react to perceived threats. They enhance heart rate, increase blood flow to muscles, and release energy stores, significantly impacting metabolic processes.

Cortisol and aldosterone, while important hormones in stress response and fluid balance, respectively, do not fit the catecholamine classification. Insulin and glucagon are vital for regulating blood glucose levels, but they are peptide hormones rather than catecholamines. Testosterone and estrogen are steroid hormones involved in sexual characteristics and reproduction and again do not belong to the catecholamine category. Thus, epinephrine and norepinephrine’s specific chemical structure and physiological roles solidify their classification as catecholamines.