Which statement correctly compares the signaling mechanisms of hormones and nitric oxide?

• A. Hormones require transport proteins to enter the cell, while nitric oxide does not.
• B. Both hormones and nitric oxide are degraded by lysosomes after signaling.
• C. Both hormones and nitric oxide diffuse across the plasma membrane and bind to intracellular receptors.
• D. Nitric oxide binds to nuclear receptors, while hormones bind to cytoplasmic proteins.

Answer: (C)