Master the Biology Bash: 2025 MCAT Biological Systems Practice Challenge!

The anterior pituitary gland is a critical structure in the endocrine system responsible for producing and secreting several key hormones that regulate various physiological processes in the body. Among the hormones released by the anterior pituitary are follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin, and growth hormone.

FSH and LH are important for reproductive functions and stimulating the gonads, ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol, TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones, prolactin is primarily involved in milk production in lactating females, and growth hormone plays a crucial role in growth and metabolism.

In contrast, other options list hormones that are either produced by different glands or are not released by the anterior pituitary. For example, oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) are produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary; insulin and glucagon are hormones produced by the pancreas; and cortisol and aldosterone are produced by the adrenal glands. This distinction clarifies the specific functions of the anterior pituitary in the broader endocrine system.