What makes up cell membranes and is used to create hormones?(1 point)
Lipids make up cell membranes and are used to create hormones.
Cell membranes are primarily composed of lipids, specifically phospholipids. Phospholipids consist of a hydrophilic head (which is attracted to water) and two hydrophobic tails (which repel water). These molecules arrange themselves in a double layer called a phospholipid bilayer, with the hydrophilic heads facing outwards towards the watery environment both inside and outside the cell, and the hydrophobic tails facing inwards, creating a barrier that separates the internal and external environments of the cell.
In addition to lipids, cell membranes also contain proteins. These proteins are embedded within the phospholipid bilayer, and they serve various functions, such as facilitating the transportation of molecules in and out of the cell, acting as receptors for signaling molecules, and providing structural support.
The other component of cell membranes is cholesterol. Cholesterol molecules are interspersed among the phospholipids, contributing to the fluidity and flexibility of the membrane.
Regarding the creation of hormones, the cell membrane plays a vital role in hormone synthesis. The process begins with the uptake of precursor molecules from the bloodstream across the cell membrane. Once inside the cell, these precursors are modified and transformed into specific hormones through various enzymatic reactions that occur within the cytoplasm or specialized organelles. The synthesized hormones are then released from the cell, often by exocytosis (a process where a vesicle fuses with the cell membrane, releasing its contents to the cell exterior).