The additive effects of growth hormone (GH) and glucocorticoids illustrate the __________.

• A. antagonistic effect
• B. autocrine signaling
• C. synergistic effect
• D. permissive effect

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the key terms in the problem. 'Synergistic effect' refers to the phenomenon where two or more hormones work together to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their individual effects.
2. Step 2: Review the roles of growth hormone (GH) and glucocorticoids. GH is involved in stimulating growth, cell reproduction, and regeneration, while glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that regulate metabolism and immune response.
3. Step 3: Analyze how these hormones interact. GH and glucocorticoids can enhance each other's effects on processes like metabolism and tissue growth, demonstrating a synergistic relationship.
4. Step 4: Compare this interaction to other types of hormonal effects. For example, 'antagonistic effect' refers to hormones that counteract each other, and 'permissive effect' occurs when one hormone enables another to act. These do not apply here.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the additive effects of GH and glucocorticoids illustrate the 'synergistic effect,' as their combined action amplifies the overall biological response.