40. Which of the following statements accurately describes the mechanism of peptide hormone-receptor interaction in signaling pathways? (A) Hormones directly enter the cell and bind to cytoplasmic receptors. (B) Hormones bind to cell surface receptors, initiating an intracellular signaling cascade. (C) Receptors are synthesized by the hormone and transported to the cell membrane. (D) Hormones and receptors undergo direct fusion for signal transduction. (E) Receptors are activated by physical contact with neighboring cells.