Why steroids can cross the cell membrane? Why steroids can cross the cell membrane? Solution Steroids are organic molecules, found in our body in the form of cholesterol, steroid hormones, vitamin D and also in the form of medicinal drugs. The steroids are non-polar and are similar to lipids. These molecules play a very important role in cell membrane stability and also in signal transduction in the body. To carry out the different functions in the body, the steroid molecules must enter the cell and bind to its target receptor and initiate the cascade of cellular response. The cell membrane is made of phospholipids with polar head groups of lipids on the exterior of cell surface and towards the cytosol, and the non-polar chains in the middle. This architecture of the cell membrane allows steroids to cross the cell membrane being lipophilic. The entry of steroids in the cell might take place with the help of receptors or carrier proteins..