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Hormones — Peptide vs Steroid

Current · V5 (2025) → L2.i Historical · V4 (2023) → U2.i 1 exam appearance

2012B Q24

Exam question

Compare and contrast peptide and steroid hormones. Give four examples of each.

CICMWrecks answer

Master answer

	Peptide Hormone	Steroid Hormone
Example	Anterior Pituitary Hormones (FLAGTOP) FSH, LH, ACTH, GH, TSH, Oxytocin, Prolactin	Cortisol, Aldosterone, Oestrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone
Structure	Multiple amino acid residues (3-200) Charged surface structure	Lipid soluble Sterol Ring structure
Precursors	Amino acids Cleaved from prehormones to prohormones to hormones	Cholesterol
Synthesis	Transcription from DNA/RNA
Storage	Secretory Vesicles	Minimal storage Normally mobilised from cholesterol esters in cytoplasm as required
Transport	Dissolved in Plasma	Bound to plasma proteins
Target	Cell surface receptors	Cytoplasmic and nucleic receptors which results in effectors in the nucleus
MOA	Via action of 2^nd messenger systems	Bind to DNA and intracellular pathway mRNA and alter transcription
Onset	Rapid	Slow
Offset	Rapid	Prolonged

Gladwin 2016

Answer by Gladwin

Past papers

Exam appearances

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Exam	Exact exam wording	Candidate success
2012B Q24	Compare and contrast peptide and steroid hormones. Give four examples of each.	13.7%