Final answer:
Steroid hormones activate gene transcription by binding to nuclear receptors that act as transcription factors, affecting gene expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Steroid hormones trigger transcription of target genes by binding to nuclear receptors that act as transcription factors for specific genes. These hormones, like testosterone, estrogen, and glucocorticoids, diffuse through the cell membrane and bind to intracellular receptors, either in the cytoplasm or nucleus, forming a hormone-receptor complex. This complex then binds to response elements in the DNA, activating or repressing transcription of specific genes to influence gene expression and regulate cell processes.