Final answer:
The transection of the sciatic nerve would lead to footdrop, loss of ankle movements, and an inability to flex the leg, but it would not affect the ability to mediate an erection, which instead involves the parasympathetic nervous system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transection of the sciatic nerve would lead to several serious consequences, given that the sciatic nerve is a critical component of the nervous system, branching from the sacral plexus and being comprised of the tibial and fibular nerves. This nerve is responsible for much of the sensation and motor control of the lower leg, passing from the hip joint and gluteal region into the upper posterior leg.
Transection of the sciatic nerve would lead to footdrop (inability to dorsiflex the foot), loss of ankle movements, and an inability to flex the leg due to the interruption of nerve signals that control these motor functions. However, it does not mediate the act of erection, as this function is managed by the parasympathetic nervous system and involves pelvic splanchnic nerves, not the sciatic nerve.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is 'e. inability to mediate the act of erection' as the one functioning not affected by the transection of the sciatic nerve.