Peptide Hormone Signalling Cascade
Steroid Hormone Signalling Cascade
Comparison summary:
| Feature | Peptide Hormones | Steroid Hormones |
|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Water-soluble | Lipid-soluble |
| Receptor location | Cell surface | Cytoplasm/nucleus |
| Second messenger | cAMP (usually) | None needed |
| Speed of action | Seconds–minutes | Hours |
| Effect | Enzyme activation | Gene expression change |
| Blood transport | Dissolved freely | Bound to carrier protein |
| Examples | Insulin, GH, ADH, FSH | Cortisol, aldosterone, oestrogen |