As a young girl, Maria suffered a head injury that damaged her pituitary. An injury to the pituitary is particularly serious because of all the functions controlled by this gland. As Maria got older, she and her doctors found that all of the following except her __________ were affected.

• A. metabolic rate
• B. growth
• C. menstrual cycle
• D. water regulation
• E. blood sugar level

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of the pituitary gland: The pituitary gland is often referred to as the 'master gland' because it regulates a variety of critical bodily functions by releasing hormones that control other glands in the endocrine system.
2. Identify the functions controlled by the pituitary gland: The pituitary gland influences metabolic rate, growth, menstrual cycle, and water regulation through hormones like thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), growth hormone (GH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and antidiuretic hormone (ADH), respectively.
3. Consider the function not directly controlled by the pituitary: Blood sugar level is primarily regulated by insulin and glucagon, hormones produced by the pancreas, not the pituitary gland.
4. Analyze the options: Since metabolic rate, growth, menstrual cycle, and water regulation are all influenced by the pituitary gland, the function that is not directly affected by the pituitary is blood sugar level.
5. Conclude the analysis: Based on the understanding of the pituitary gland's functions, the correct answer is that Maria's blood sugar level was not affected by the injury to her pituitary gland.