Which gland stores hormones before their release?

'Cretinism' is due to less secretion of:

$A -$ Thyroid gland secretes a protein hormone called thyrocalcitonin $(TCT)$,which regulates the blood calcium levels.
$R - TCT$ is a hypercalcemic hormone.

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion $(A)$ and the other is labelled as Reason $(R)$.
Assertion $(A):$ During pregnancy,the level of thyroxine is increased in the maternal blood.
Reason $(R):$ Pregnancy is characterised by metabolic changes in the mother.
In the light of the above statements,choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

The $BMR$ increases due to which of the following?

Which of the following is a water-soluble hormone consisting of $32$ amino acids?