Final answer:
Lipid-derived hormones are able to permeate the plasma membrane and use intracellular receptors. Peptide and amino acid-derived hormones, on the other hand, are lipid insoluble and thus rely on cell surface receptors. Examples of lipid-derived hormones include steroids like estrogen and testosterone, while amino acid-derived hormones include epinephrine and melatonin.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lipid-derived hormones can permeate the plasma membrane and thus utilize intracellular receptors. Peptide and amino acid-derived hormones are lipid insoluble and thus require cell surface receptors. There are three types of hormones classified based on molecular structure and properties. Lipid-derived hormones are lipid-soluble and can diffuse across cell membranes because they are non-polar. Most lipid hormones are derived from cholesterol; examples include steroids such as estrogen and testosterone.
Because lipid hormones can diffuse across cell membranes, their receptors are located in the cytoplasm of target cells. The amino acid-derived hormones are relatively small molecules derived from the amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan; examples include epinephrine, norepinephrine, thyroxin, and melatonin. Peptide hormones such as oxytocin and growth hormone consist of polypeptide chains of amino acids.
Because these hormones are water-soluble and insoluble in lipids, they cannot pass through the plasma membrane of cells; their receptors are found on the surface of the target cells.