what is the difference between lipid and water soluble hormones

Answer 1

Lipid-soluble hormones, also known as fat-soluble hormones, are hormones that can dissolve in and move through lipid (fat) membranes. They include steroid hormones such as cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen. These hormones are derived from cholesterol and can easily enter target cells because the cell membranes are made up of lipids. Lipid-soluble hormones bind to specific receptors inside the target cell and directly affect gene expression by altering protein synthesis.

Water-soluble hormones, on the other hand, are hormones that are not able to dissolve in lipid membranes and require specific receptors on the surface of target cells. Examples of water-soluble hormones are peptide hormones, such as insulin and growth hormone, and amine hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine. Water-soluble hormones cannot passively diffuse through the cell membrane, so they bind to receptors on the cell surface and activate second messenger systems inside the cell to carry out their effects. These second messengers then trigger various cellular responses, such as activating enzymes or altering membrane permeability.

In summary, the main difference between lipid-soluble and water-soluble hormones lies in their ability to penetrate cell membranes. Lipid-soluble hormones can directly enter target cells, while water-soluble hormones bind to receptors on the cell surface to initiate a signaling cascade inside the cell.