Where does this come from, and can I check it?

Being fat-soluble, they enter cells and switch genes on or off directly. The figure is taken from NIGMS, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.

Is this really a human body fact?

Yes. It sits on the Human Body shelf, one of 2,600 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.

What else can I read about it?

The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.

Mondo Knows Facts

Steroid hormones slip through cell membranes

Being fat-soluble, they enter cells and switch genes on or off directly Cholesterol-derived hormones such as cortisol and oestrogen pass easily through the lipid cell membrane. Inside, they bind receptors that move into the nucleus and attach to DNA. Because they change gene transcription rather than triggering ready-made enzymes, their effects take hours rather than seconds. It sits in Mondo's human body collection, one of 200 facts that each trace back to the reference below.

Where this comes from

NIGMS

Facts that can change over time are reviewed and updated. If something here looks wrong, Mondo would rather know than be confidently incorrect.

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Science trivia

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Thyroid hormones are built around iodine atomsT4 carries four iodine atoms and T3 carries three, which is why iodine is essential The human skeleton replaces its bone tissue every decadeSpecialised cells constantly break down and rebuild bone matrix across the body The pineal gland regulates daily sleep rhythms with melatoninLight exposure signals the brain to adjust hormone production for sleep The body produces millions of red blood cells every secondRed blood cells circulate for about 120 days before being recycled White blood cells defend the body against infectious pathogensLeukocytes circulate in blood and tissue to destroy invading bacteria and viruses The stomach regenerates its mucous lining every few daysEpithelial cell renewal prevents stomach acid from digesting stomach walls

Tags: steroids, hormones, cells

Steroid hormones slip through cell membranes: the short answers

Where does this come from, and can I check it?: Being fat-soluble, they enter cells and switch genes on or off directly. The figure is taken from NIGMS, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
Is this really a human body fact?: Yes. It sits on the Human Body shelf, one of 2,600 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.
What else can I read about it?: The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.