True or False: Hormones work through receptors, and the speed of this action varies.

Hormones indeed operate through specific receptors, which can be found on the surface of cells or within them. These receptors bind to hormones like a key fits into a lock, enabling the hormone to exert its effects on the cell. The speed of hormonal action can vary significantly depending on the type of hormone and the mechanism of action involved.

For instance, steroid hormones generally pass through the cell membrane and bind to intracellular receptors, which can lead to changes in gene expression and slower, longer-lasting effects. Conversely, peptide hormones typically bind to surface receptors, activating signaling pathways that can cause rapid cellular responses. Therefore, the variation in speed between different hormones and their mechanisms of action reinforces the statement that hormones work through receptors and that their impact can be fast or slow depending on various factors.