Hormones that are hydrophobic show delay in initial action and capable of altering gene expression are

Options

A. Peptides
B. Steroids
C. Catecholamines
D. Thyroid hormones

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks for hormones that are hydrophobic, show a delay in initial action, and are capable of altering gene expression.

2. **Identifying Hydrophobic Hormones**: Hydrophobic hormones are typically lipid-soluble hormones. They can easily pass through the lipid bilayer of cell membranes.

3. **Recognizing Steroid Hormones**: Steroid hormones are a class of hormones that are hydrophobic and lipid-soluble. Examples include testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol.

4. **Mechanism of Action**: Steroid hormones diffuse across the plasma membrane of both their target cells and the cells that secrete them. Once inside the cell, they bind to specific intracellular receptors, which can be located in the cytoplasm or the nucleus.

5. **Delay in Initial Action**: Since steroid hormones are synthesized on demand and cannot be stored in vesicles, there is a delay in their initial action. This is because the hormone must be synthesized and then transported to its target site.

6. **Altering Gene Expression**: Steroid hormones influence gene expression by interacting with their intracellular receptors, which act as transcription factors. This interaction leads to the transcription of specific genes, thereby altering the gene expression profile of the cell.

7. **Conclusion**: Based on the above points, the hormones that are hydrophobic, show a delay in initial action, and are capable of altering gene expression are steroid hormones.

**Final Answer**: Steroid hormones.

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