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The hormones commonly referred to as stress hormones are indeed cortisol and adrenaline, which play crucial roles in the body's response to stress. When faced with a stressful situation, the body activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to increased production of these hormones.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone that helps regulate a variety of processes in the body, including metabolism and immune response. It helps prepare the body to deal with stress by increasing blood sugar levels, enhancing brain function, and suppressing non-essential functions in a fight-or-flight situation.

Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a hormone that is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It provides a rapid response, increasing heart rate, blood flow, and energy supplies.

While catecholamines, which include both epinephrine and norepinephrine, certainly play a role in the body's acute stress response, the specific reference to cortisol and adrenaline captures the classical understanding of stress hormones more comprehensively. Hence, the choice identifies two primary hormones associated with the stress response, linking them directly to the physiological effects experienced during stressful situations.