Antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin are stored and released by the:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin, synthesized in the hypothalamus, via neural connections ADH conserves water, oxytocin aids childbirth/lactation. The adrenal cortex produces mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone) and glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol), not these. The thyroid secretes T3, T4, and calcitonin, unrelated to ADH/oxytocin. The pineal gland releases melatonin for sleep cycles. Posterior pituitary's neurohypophyseal role as a storage/release site distinguishes it, critical for hypothalamic hormone delivery, unlike steroid or metabolic glands.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The endocrine system secretes hormones into the bloodstream, reaching distant target cells (e.g., insulin from pancreas to muscles), alters metabolism (e.g., thyroxine boosts energy use), and has prolonged effects (e.g., cortisol's stress response lasts hours), unlike rapid neural signals. Each trait holds: blood transport ensures systemic reach, metabolic shifts adapt physiology, and slow, sustained action contrasts with fleeting nerve impulses. All are true, distinguishing endocrine function as a cohesive, long-acting regulator, critical for homeostasis, unlike partial or unrelated properties.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The hypothalamus regulates heart rate (via autonomic nerves), temperature (thermoregulatory center), and water balance (ADH via posterior pituitary), but doesn't secrete FSH follicle-stimulating hormone comes from the anterior pituitary, stimulated by hypothalamic GnRH. Hypothalamus controls pituitary, not producing gonadotropins itself. FSH secretion's absence distinguishes it, highlighting hypothalamic oversight versus pituitary execution, critical for endocrine hierarchy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Islets of Langerhans, pancreatic endocrine clusters, produce hormones (insulin, glucagon) for glucose regulation. 'Nodules' isn't specific pancreas lacks this term. Pancreas has no medulla or cortex (adrenal terms) it's mixed endocrine-exocrine. Islets' distinct cellular groups (alpha, beta) distinguish them, critical for metabolic control, unlike vague or misapplied anatomical labels.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The pituitary's anterior lobe produces luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to regulate gametogenesis FSH stimulates sperm/egg development, LH triggers sex hormone release. Androgens are gonadal, epinephrine/norepinephrine are adrenal not pituitary-made. FSH's paired role with LH distinguishes it, vital for reproduction, contrasting with stress hormones.