Question
Which of the following pairs of hormones can easily pass through the cell membrane and binds to a receptor inside it (mostly in the nucleus)
Insulin, glucagon
Thyroxine, insulin
Somatostatin, oxytocin
Cortisol, testosterone
Solution
D.
Cortisol, testosterone
Cortisol and testosterone are steroidal in nature. Steroid hormones are lipid soluble and easily pass through cell membrane of a target cell into the cytoplasm. In the cytoplasm they bind to specific intracellular receptors (proteins) to form a hormone receptor complex that enters the nucleus.
