Why are steroid hormones longer-lived than peptide hormones?

• A. Steroid hormones are degraded quickly.
• B. Steroid hormones rely on second messenger signaling.
• C. Steroid hormones do not alter gene expression.
• D. Steroid hormones enter the cell and turn on gene expression to produce proteins that persist in the cell.

Answer: (D)

Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble, so they cross the cell membrane and bind intracellular receptors. The hormone-receptor complex then acts as a transcription factor that turns on specific genes, leading to the production of new proteins. Those newly synthesized proteins can persist in the cell for a long time, creating lasting effects even after the hormone signal has faded. In contrast, peptide hormones bind to receptors on the cell surface and trigger rapid signaling cascades through second messengers, which quickly dissipate and rely on already-present enzymes and substrates rather than new protein synthesis. That’s why the longevity of steroid hormone effects comes from changing gene expression and producing proteins that remain in the cell.