Which type of hormones typically elicit a faster response?

The option referring to neurotransmitters is correct because they are fundamental to the rapid communication that occurs in the nervous system. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers released from nerve cells that transmit signals across synapses to other neurons, muscle cells, or glands almost instantaneously. This process allows for quick responses, often within milliseconds, which is essential for immediate actions such as reflexes or other rapid physiological reactions.

In contrast, steroid hormones and peptide hormones generally have slower effects because they engage with cellular processes differently. Steroid hormones, which are lipid-soluble, typically enter cells and initiate changes at the genomic level, leading to alterations in gene expression. As a result, their effects are usually seen over a longer timeframe, often hours to days. Peptide hormones, despite being faster than steroids, still rely on second messenger systems that require time to propagate the signal within the cell, leading to responses that occur within minutes to hours but not as rapidly as neurotransmitters.

Endocrine hormones, while critical in regulating various bodily functions through the bloodstream, also operate on a time scale slower than that of neurotransmitters, as their release and action involve more complex signaling pathways and systemic effects.

Thus, the speed of response is a key factor distinguishing neurotrans