actions of glucocorticoids include all of the following except

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol) promote gluconeogenesis, support myocardial contractility (via catecholamine sensitivity), and inhibit glucose uptake (insulin resistance), but don't decrease vascular resistance they maintain or increase it via permissive effects on angiotensin II/vasopressors. Decreased resistance aligns with ANP/vasodilators, not cortisol. Vascular support distinguishes glucocorticoid action, critical for stress response, unlike metabolic or cardiac roles.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Down-regulation occurs when excessive hormone levels reduce target-cell receptor numbers, preventing overstimulation a negative feedback mechanism. 'Receptor recognition' isn't a process, 'sensory adaptation' applies to nerves, and 'paracrine regulation' involves local signaling not receptor adjustment. Though option D isn't listed, context and endocrine principles confirm 'down-regulation' as standard terminology (likely missing due to OCR cutoff). This adaptive response distinguishes endocrine self-regulation, vital for homeostasis, contrasting with static or unrelated mechanisms.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Somatotrophs in the anterior pituitary secrete human growth hormone (hGH), driving growth unlike thyrotrophs (TSH), gonadotrophs (LH/FSH), lactotrophs (prolactin), or corticotrophs (ACTH). This cellular specificity distinguishes GH's production, key to skeletal and tissue development, contrasting with other pituitary functions.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol) promote protein/fat breakdown, gluconeogenesis, and immune suppression not increased oxygen, which relates to respiration. 'D' inferred as missing option fits. This distinguishes glucocorticoids' metabolic/stress roles, vital for energy mobilization, contrasting with respiratory functions.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.