Question

Which characteristic of glucocorticoid hormones allow them to bind to intracellular receptors?

O glucocorticoid hormones are hydrophobic and can diffuse through the plasma membrane.
O glucocorticoid hormones can pass through channel proteins that allow them to enter the cell.
O glucocorticoid hormones are ionic and can diffuse through the plasma membrane.
O glucocorticoid hormones are produced within the cell in which they elicit a response.
O glucocorticoid hormones are able to specifically bind to receptors on the cell surface that transport them into the cell.

Answer 1

Glucocorticoid hormones, being hydrophobic, can diffuse through the plasma membrane and bind to intracellular receptors to regulate gene transcription and influence various bodily functions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The characteristic that allows glucocorticoid hormones to bind to intracellular receptors is their hydrophobic nature, which enables them to diffuse through the plasma membrane. Glucocorticoid hormones are similar in structure to cholesterol, which make them small, hydrophobic, and capable of direct diffusion across the plasma membrane without assistance from transport proteins. Once inside the cell, they attach to receptors either in the cytoplasm or nucleus, where the hormone-receptor complex can act as a transcription regulator, precisely adjusting the expression of specific genes.

By regulating transcription, they modify the concentration of mRNA and thus influence the synthesis of proteins corresponding to those mRNA molecules. This modulation of gene expression explains why glucocorticoids have wide-ranging effects on processes such as metabolism, immune response, and many other critical functions in the body.