Final answer:
Steroid hormones generate a response in the target cell by binding to intracellular receptors in the cytoplasm or nucleus. The hormone-receptor complex regulates gene expression and protein synthesis, resulting in changes in cell structure and function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Steroid hormones generate a response in the target cell by binding to receptors inside the cell.
These hormones are lipid-derived and can diffuse across the cell membrane, allowing them to bind to intracellular receptors in the cytoplasm or nucleus.
The hormone-receptor complex acts as a transcription regulator, which affects gene expression and the synthesis of specific proteins. This, in turn, leads to changes in the structure and function of the cell.