***Difference between peptide hormones and steroid hormones***

Describe the major difference between the mechanisms by which peptide hormones and steroid hormones stimulate their target cells.

Thanks in advance for your help :)

Peptide hormones are composed of amino acids.

A peptide hormone binds to a cell-surface receptor, it does not enter the cell.

The resulting complex activates an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of cyclic AMP from ATP. Cyclic AMP activates other enzymes that are inactive.




Steroid Hormones -

Steroid hormones enter the cell and bind to receptors in the cytoplasm.
The hormone-receptor complex enters the nucleus where it binds with chromatin and activates specific genes.

Peptide hormones are large proteins. They don't enter the cell. They interact with cell surface receptors, and those change configuration on the inside part when they are bound to the hormone, and that change causes changes to the cell's function.