Final answer:
The anterior pituitary hormones from the POMC family include ACTH and MSH, which are involved in stress response and skin pigmentation. The anterior pituitary also produces GH for growth, while the posterior pituitary releases oxytocin and vasopressin for childbirth and water balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland that are grouped into the Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) family include adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and melanin-stimulating hormone (MSH). ACTH functions primarily to stimulate the adrenal cortex to release corticosteroids, which help the body respond to stress and regulate metabolism. MSH is involved in the regulation of skin pigment and can affect the color of the skin by stimulating melanin production in melanocytes.
Regarding the general functions of the two lobes of the pituitary gland, the anterior pituitary secretes hormones that regulate several physiological processes including growth, reproduction, and stress response. Growth hormone (GH), for example, directly stimulates the growth of bones and muscles. The posterior pituitary, in contrast, stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus; these include oxytocin and vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone, ADH), which regulate uterine contractions during childbirth and the body's balance of water, respectively.