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Where is oxytocin produced and released, respectively?

A. Hypothalamus, posterior pituitary gland
B. Hypothalamus, adrenal gland
C. Posterior pituitary gland, hypothalamus
D. Posterior pituitary gland, amygdala

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary gland, making the correct choice A. Hypothalamus, posterior pituitary gland.

Step-by-step explanation:

Oxytocin is a hormone intricate in various processes, such as childbirth and emotional bonding. It is produced in the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that controls many bodily functions and emotional responses.

The transportation of oxytocin occurs within axons that extend from the hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary gland. There, oxytocin is stored until it is released into the bloodstream in response to neural signaling from the hypothalamus. Thus, even though oxytocin is produced by neurons in the hypothalamus, it is considered to be a hormone of the posterior pituitary because that is where it is released into the circulatory system.

To directly answer the question: Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary gland. The correct choice to this question would, therefore, be A. Hypothalamus, posterior pituitary gland.

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