Which of the following summarizes the role of the hypothalamus? a. it connects the endocrine and nervous systems and controls the pituitary gland. b. it controls the rate at which cells burn fuels from food to produce energy. c. it produces glucagon and insulin to control glucose levels in the blood. d. it releases adrenaline as a response to fear, stress, and excitement.

The hypothalamus is accountable for monitoring some of the metabolic procedures and other activities of the autonomic nervous system. It discharges and produces some of the neurohormones, known as releasing hormones or hypothalamic hormones, and these in return inhibit or stimulate the secretion of pituitary hormones.

Thus, the correct answer is option A, that is, hypothalamus connects the endocrine and nervous systems and controls the pituitary gland.