Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones that are often released in response to stress and can have profound effects on many tissues throughout the body. Glucocorticoids are so named because of their observed effects on glucose metabolism in the body, though the effects are tissue-specific. In general, these hormones work to increase the supply of blood glucose, while preventing many peripheral tissues from using glucose. In muscle and adipose tissue, glucocorticoids act to oppose the effects of insulin, promote glycogenolysis, and inhibit glucose uptake. In hepatocytes, glucocorticoids promote gluconeogenesis. These responses maintain blood sugar levels to supply the brain with sufficient energy. Predict which of the following tissue responses are also a result of glucocorticoid signaling. (select two answers)
a. Skeletal myocytes have higher expression of Glut4 at the cell surface.
b. Skeletal myocytes have lower expression of Glut4 at the cell surface.
c. Erythrocytes decrease glycogen synthesis.
d. Erythrocytes increase glycogen synthesis.
e. Adipocytes decrease lipid breakdown.
f. Adipocytes increase lipid breakdown.