Hydrophilic vs Lipophilic

Hydrophilic hormones

Water-soluble hormones that bind to receptors on the cell membrane and use second messenger systems.

Lipophilic hormones

Lipid-soluble hormones that diffuse through the plasma membrane and bind intracellular receptors.

Where do hydrophilic hormones bind?

Receptors on the cell surface (plasma membrane).

Where do lipophilic hormones bind?

in the cytoplasm or nucleus

Why can lipophilic hormones cross the cell membrane?

Because they are lipid-soluble, so they diffuse through the lipid bilayer.

How do hydrophilic hormones produce a cellular response?

By activating second messenger systems that modify existing proteins.

How do lipophilic hormones produce a cellular response?

By activating genes, leading to the synthesis of new proteins.

Which hormones act faster: hydrophilic or lipophilic?

Hydrophilic hormones, because they modify existing proteins.

Which hormones have longer-lasting effects?

Lipophilic hormones, because they cause new protein synthesis.

What is a second messenger?

An intracellular molecule that relays signals from a receptor to produce a cellular response.

Example of a second messenger

cAMP