Chapter 16.1, Problem 4LO

Summary Introduction

To compare:

The action of peptide and steroid hormones.

Introduction:

The peptide hormones are those hormones that are peptides, proteins and amino acids. The peptide hormone does not enter into the cell as they are hydrophobic in nature. Their receptor is present on the cell surface of the plasma membrane. These hormones are mostly endocrine hormones.

The steroid hormones are those hormones that are derived from cholesterol. These hormones are hydrophilic in nature. So they can enter into the cell. Their receptors are present on the nucleus inside the cytoplasm of the cell. Adrenal cortex, ovaries and the testes produce steroid hormones.

Pictorial representation:

Fig 1: Represents the mode of action of peptide hormone.

Fig 2: Represents the mode of action of steroid hormone.