Question

Which class of hormones can diffuse through plasma
membranes?
a. lipid-derived hormones
b. amino acid-derived hormones
c. peptide hormones
d. glycoprotein hormones

Short answer

The correct answer is Option (a) lipid-derived hormones.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Introduction 

Lipid-derived hormones can enter the cell by passing through the plasma membrane. The steroids, which are generated from eicosanoids and cholesterol, are the principal group of lipid-derived hormones. Cortisol, oestrogen, and testosterone are examples of steroid hormones.

Step 2. Explanation of the correct option

The explanation for the correct answer (a) lipid-derived hormones

The steroid hormones which are the principal group of lipid-derived hormones are lipophilic (love fat), they can freely diffuse across a cell's plasma membrane. Lipid-derived hormones can pass through the cell by passing through the plasma membrane, binding to DNA, and changing the activities of the cell by causing the synthesis of proteins that have an effect on the cell's long-term structure and function.

Step 3. Explanation of the incorrect options 

b. amino acid-derived hormones

Because they are not lipid-derived (lipid-soluble), polypeptide hormones and hormones made from amino acids cannot cross a cell's plasma membrane.

c. peptide hormones

Peptide hormones cannot freely pass the plasma membrane because they are hydrophilic and lipophobic (hate fat). They attach to cell surface receptors, which are normally connected to proteins that are intrinsic to the cell.

d. glycoprotein hormones

The most complicated molecules with hormonal function are called glycoprotein hormones (GPUs). FSH, LH, thyroid-stimulating hormones, and Three pituitary hormones are among them; the hormones of GPU cannot diffuse into the membrane as they hate fat hormones too.