Biology / Unit 12 Bio 2921 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Lipid-Soluble versus Water-Soluble Receptor Location
Captions available
The idea
Lipid-soluble hormones bind receptors inside the target cell, in cytoplasm or nucleus; water-soluble hormones bind receptors on the outer cell surface, since they cannot cross the membrane.
In practice
Prescribed prednisone, a synthetic steroid, crosses cell membranes like cortisol; injected insulin instead binds surface receptors.
Where people slip
Thyroxine is an exception among amino acid-derived hormones, crossing the membrane via a transporter despite not being lipid-derived.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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