Final answer:
The "master gland" of the body referred to in the question is the pituitary gland. It produces hormones that regulate other endocrine glands and has a direct effect on various body processes, such as growth and metabolism. The hypothalamus controls its activity, making it essential for the balanced function of the whole endocrine system.option a is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Master Gland of the Endocrine System
The correct answer to the question is a) Pituitary. The pituitary gland is often called the "master gland" of the body because it releases hormones that regulate the activity of other endocrine glands. For instance, the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland produces tropic hormones, such as the thyrotropic hormone, which stimulates the thyroid gland to release its hormones. Moreover, the pituitary gland's function is under the control of the hypothalamus, a brain structure that sends it signals. Hormones produced by the pituitary gland include growth hormone, which affects growth and metabolism, and they directly influence various body functions.
Control Over Other Endocrine Glands
The pituitary gland controls the thyroid gland through the secretion of the Thyrotropic hormone (TSH).
It influences the adrenal glands by secreting adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
The gonads (ovaries and testes) are regulated through the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Additionally, the pituitary gland is intimately linked with the hypothalamus, which secretes hormones that control the pituitary gland itself. The gland is located at the base of the brain, and it is essential for the proper function of the endocrine system, which manages critical processes such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction.