Final answer:
Steroid hormone synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm of a cell. The hormone binds to an intracellular receptor in the cytoplasm or nucleus, forming a complex that affects gene expression. This leads to the synthesis of mRNA and proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
Steroid hormone synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm of a cell. When a steroid hormone enters a target cell, it binds to an intracellular receptor located in the cytoplasm or nucleus.
This binding forms a hormone-receptor complex that moves into the nucleus and affects gene expression by binding to specific segments of the cell's DNA.
The complex triggers the transcription of target genes, resulting in the synthesis of mRNA molecules and subsequent protein production.