Question

Although there are many different hormones in the human body, they can be divided into three classes based on their chemical structure. What are these classes and what is one factor that distinguishes them?

a) The classes are protein, peptide, and steroid hormones; lipophilicity distinguishes them.
b) The classes are endocrine, exocrine, and paracrine hormones; their locations distinguish them.
c) The classes are hydrophilic, lipophilic, and volatile hormones; their solubility distinguishes them.
d) The classes are water-soluble, lipid-soluble, and gaseous hormones; their mode of action distinguishes them.

Answer 1

Hormones in the human body are classified into three chemical structure-based classes: lipid-derived, amino acid-derived, and peptide hormones.

Step-by-step explanation:

There are many different hormones in the human body, and they can be broadly categorized into three classes based on their chemical structure. These classes are lipid-derived hormones, amino acid-derived hormones, and peptide hormones. One factor that distinguishes these classes is their solubility and their ability to diffuse across plasma membranes. Lipid-derived hormones (also known as lipid-soluble hormones) like steroids are able to diffuse directly through the lipid bilayer of cell membranes due to their non-polar nature. On the other hand, amino acid-derived and peptide hormones are generally water-soluble and cannot diffuse across the membrane so easily; therefore, they rely on receptors located on the cell's surface to exert their effects.