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Unlike polypeptide hormones, steroid hormones:
  • a)
    Demonstrate rapid onset of effect
  • b)
    Are more likely to have an associated receptor in the cytosol or nucleus
  • c)
    More commonly function via specific second messengers
  • d)
    Are more rapidly degraded and therefore demonstrate more temporary effects
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Unlike polypeptide hormones, steroid hormones:a)Demonstrate rapid onse...
Steroid hormones are a class of hormones derived from cholesterol. Examples include hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, estrogen, and testosterone. Unlike polypeptide hormones, which are typically hydrophilic and cannot easily pass through the cell membrane, steroid hormones are lipophilic and can readily diffuse across cell membranes.
Once inside the target cell, steroid hormones bind to specific receptors that are located in the cytosol or nucleus of the cell (option B). The receptor-hormone complex then translocates into the nucleus, where it acts as a transcription factor, binding to specific DNA sequences and regulating gene expression. This ultimately leads to changes in protein synthesis and cellular function.
Polypeptide hormones, on the other hand, commonly function via specific second messengers (option C). Upon binding to cell surface receptors, they initiate signaling cascades that involve the activation of second messengers such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), inositol trisphosphate (IP3), and calcium ions. These second messengers propagate the hormone signal within the cell, leading to various cellular responses.
Steroid hormones tend to have longer-lasting effects compared to polypeptide hormones because they alter gene expression, resulting in the synthesis of new proteins (option D). This is in contrast to polypeptide hormones, which often exert more rapid but transient effects by modifying existing proteins or activating existing cellular pathways.
Therefore, the statement that is true about steroid hormones in comparison to polypeptide hormones is that steroid hormones are more likely to have an associated receptor in the cytosol or nucleus (option B).
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Unlike polypeptide hormones, steroid hormones:a)Demonstrate rapid onse...
Receptor Location:
Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble molecules that can easily pass through the cell membrane. Therefore, they are more likely to have an associated receptor in the cytosol or nucleus. Once inside the cell, steroid hormones bind to their specific intracellular receptors, forming hormone-receptor complexes that then regulate gene expression.

Rapid Onset of Effect:
Unlike polypeptide hormones, steroid hormones do not demonstrate rapid onset of effect. This is because their mechanism of action involves gene regulation and protein synthesis, which takes time to produce a physiological response. As a result, the effects of steroid hormones are generally slower but more sustained compared to polypeptide hormones.

Second Messengers:
Steroid hormones do not commonly function via specific second messengers like polypeptide hormones. Instead, they directly regulate gene expression by binding to their receptors in the cytosol or nucleus. This leads to changes in protein synthesis and cellular activities over a longer period of time.

Degradation and Temporary Effects:
Steroid hormones are not rapidly degraded like polypeptide hormones. Due to their lipid-soluble nature, steroid hormones are typically bound to carrier proteins in the bloodstream, which helps protect them from immediate degradation. As a result, steroid hormones have more prolonged effects compared to polypeptide hormones and are not as quickly cleared from the body.
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