Which hormone from the pituitary stimulates growth and metabolism?

• A. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
• B. Growth hormone (GH)
• C. Luteinizing hormone
• D. Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Answer: (B)

Growth hormone is the pituitary hormone that drives growth and metabolism. Released by the anterior pituitary, it promotes bone and tissue growth directly and also stimulates the liver to produce IGF-1, which mediates many growth-promoting effects. Beyond growth, it supports metabolic processes by increasing protein synthesis, mobilizing fats, and influencing glucose use in the body. Other pituitary hormones have different targets—thyroid-stimulating hormone triggers the thyroid to release hormones that raise metabolic rate, luteinizing hormone acts on the gonads, and adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulates cortisol release from the adrenal cortex. So, the hormone that best fits both growth and metabolic regulation is growth hormone.