Final answer:
Steroid hormones are chemical messengers synthesized from cholesterol. They are fat soluble and can diffuse across the plasma membrane of target cells to influence gene expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Steroid hormones are chemical messengers that are synthesized from cholesterol. They are fat soluble and can diffuse across the plasma membrane of target cells, where they bind with receptors in the cytoplasm of the cell. This hormone-receptor complex moves into the nucleus and influences gene expression. Examples of steroid hormones include cortisol and sex hormones.