EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -More than 30 steroids are produced in the adrenal cortex; they can be divided into three functional categories: mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens.

Detailed explanation-2: -Protein hormones react with receptors on the surface of the cell, and the sequence of events that results in hormone action is relatively rapid. Steroid hormones typically react with receptor sites inside a cell. Because this method of action actually involves synthesis of proteins, it is relatively slow.

Detailed explanation-3: -1) Protein hormones (or polypeptide hormones) are made of chains of amino acids. An example is ADH (antidiuretic hormone) which decreases blood pressure. 2) Steroid hormones are derived from lipids. Reproductive hormones like testosterone and estrogen are steroid hormones.

Detailed explanation-4: -B Serum Binding Proteins for Steroid Hormones The steroid hormones are transported from their sites of biosynthesis to their target steroid hormones, and their transport is facilitated by a family of plasma transport proteins (see Table 2-6). All steroid hormones, except one, have their cognate plasma binding protein.