How do lipid-soluble hormones differing from water-soluble hormones generally affect cells?

Lipid-soluble hormones, such as steroid hormones, typically have a slower onset of action and lead to longer-term changes in cellular function compared to water-soluble hormones. This is because lipid-soluble hormones can easily cross the cell membrane due to their fat-soluble nature. Once inside the cell, they bind to specific intracellular receptors, leading to the formation of hormone-receptor complexes that can directly influence gene expression. This mechanism often results in the synthesis of new proteins that bring about changes in cellular structure and function over a longer period.

In contrast, water-soluble hormones generally act more quickly and often utilize second messenger systems to exert their effects, leading to immediate changes like altering enzyme activity or cell membrane permeability. Therefore, the fundamental difference lies in the mechanism of action and the duration of effects, with lipid-soluble hormones being associated with slower, more sustained physiological changes within the cell.