[Campbell Biology P.1051] Refer to the 'WHAT IF?' question accompanying Figure 45.5. If a cel... | Practice Question

Refer to the 'WHAT IF?' question accompanying Figure 45.5. If a cell responds to a hormone even when transcription is blocked, what can be surmised about this hormone and its receptor?

  • A: The hormone is likely water-soluble and primarily triggers a cytoplasmic response.
  • B: The hormone is likely lipid-soluble, and its receptor is located in the nucleus.
  • C: The hormone's mechanism of action exclusively involves altering gene expression.
  • D: The cell has developed a bypass mechanism that allows it to respond to all types of hormones without transcription.

Explanation

If a cell produces the same response to a hormone even when transcription is blocked, it implies that the hormone's action is not primarily mediated by changes in gene expression. This is characteristic of water-soluble hormones, which often trigger rapid cytoplasmic responses e.g., enzyme activation, changes in uptake/secretion via signal transduction pathways, rather than directly altering gene transcription for their immediate effects.