What type of hormones are steroids?

Steroid hormones are indeed classified as lipid-soluble hormones derived from cholesterol. This classification is crucial because it influences how these hormones interact with the body. Being lipid-soluble allows steroids to easily pass through cell membranes, which are also composed largely of lipid bilayers. Once inside the cell, steroid hormones can bind to specific receptors in the cytoplasm or nucleus, leading to changes in gene expression and resulting in effects on various physiological processes.

The derivation from cholesterol is also significant, as it underscores the complexity of steroidogenesis, where cholesterol is modified through a series of enzymatic reactions in steroid-producing glands such as the adrenal glands and gonads. This process results in the formation of various steroid hormones, including glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and sex steroids.

In contrast, the other options describe different classes of hormones that do not share these characteristics. For instance, water-soluble hormones and peptide hormones operate quite differently, typically relying on binding to receptors on the cell surface rather than penetrating cell membranes. Understanding the nature of steroid hormones helps in grasping their unique functions and mechanisms within the endocrine system.