What part of a cell makes hormones and steroids?

Answer 1

holesterol droplet sends cholesterol to mitochondrial matrix. Special transport molecules in the mitochondrial membrane [ called sterol carrier protein 2 (SCP-2) and steroidogenic acute regulator, (StAR)] facilitate movement across to the inner membrane. This would be like the volley-ball net having a couple of carriers or capturing agents that would send the ball across the net much faster, once you got close enough.Enzymes in the mitochondrial inner membrane cleave the side chain and form pregnenolone, a precursor for most other steroids. Then they send the pregnenolone back across the membrane (volleyball net) to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER).The SER enzymes then adds more side chains, making modifications unique to the particular cells in question. The molecules may then be sent back to the mitochondria for final modification after which they leave and are secreted into the blood stream.Each cell type expresses unique sets of enzymes in the SER and mitochondria to allow it to stop at a certain point in the pathway and thus produce only that steroid. This pathway can be regulated by specific regulators for each of the steroid hormone producing cells. The regulators may stimulate the production of the enzymes as well as the production and actions of the proteins that facilitate movement across the mitochondrial membranes (volleyball net). More enzymes + more transport proteins at the volleyball net= higher levels of steroid hormones. The following electron micrograph shows the close relationship between mitochondria and the SER.http://www.cytochemistry.net/Endocrine_System/adrenal.htm#organelles

Answer 2

Sex hormones as well as all steroid hormones are made from cholesterol. Cholesterol is absorbed from food and is made in the liver. To create a steroid hormone a molecule of cholesterol is modified by enzymes within the smooth endoplasmic reticulum.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

the smooth endoplasmic reticulum is responsible for making steroids

Answer 4

the smooth endoplasmic retuculum (smooth ER) produces hormones like steriods and sex hormones.

Answer 5

The biosynthesis of plant hormones within plant tissues is often diffuse and not always localized

Answer 6

Smooth ER