General physiology: steroid hormone receptors: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · General physiology: steroid hormone receptors

Sample item

A patient started on oral prednisolone notices that the anti-inflammatory benefit appears over hours to days rather than within seconds. What does this delay reflect?

AThe hormone-receptor complex alters gene transcription and new protein synthesisBOpening of ligand-gated ion channels on the cell surfaceCDelayed generation of cAMP from membrane receptorsDSlow diffusion of the steroid across the capillary wall

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. The hormone-receptor complex alters gene transcription and new protein synthesis

Lipophilic steroids cross the membrane and bind intracellular receptors. The complex acts as a transcription factor at hormone response elements, so effects depend on new mRNA and protein and take hours.

Option by option

A. The hormone-receptor complex alters gene transcription and new protein synthesis (correct)
Correct. The receptor complex alters transcription, a slow genomic action.
B. Opening of ligand-gated ion channels on the cell surface
Ligand-gated ion channels act within milliseconds and are not steroid targets.
C. Delayed generation of cAMP from membrane receptors
Cortisol does not act by membrane cAMP generation.
D. Slow diffusion of the steroid across the capillary wall
Steroids are lipophilic and cross membranes quickly; diffusion is not the delay.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is A, The hormone-receptor complex alters gene transcription and new protein synthesis. Lipophilic steroids cross the membrane and bind intracellular receptors.

Why is "Opening of ligand-gated ion channels on the cell surface" not the answer?

Ligand-gated ion channels act within milliseconds and are not steroid targets.

Why is "Delayed generation of cAMP from membrane receptors" not the answer?

Cortisol does not act by membrane cAMP generation.

Why is "Slow diffusion of the steroid across the capillary wall" not the answer?

Steroids are lipophilic and cross membranes quickly; diffusion is not the delay.

What concept does this question test?

It tests General physiology: steroid hormone receptors in Physiology. The complex acts as a transcription factor at hormone response elements, so effects depend on new mRNA and protein and take hours.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study General physiology: steroid hormone receptors?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.