Final Answer:
The organic compound used to manufacture steroid hormones in the body is C. Cholesterol. Thus the correct option is C. Cholesterol.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cholesterol serves as the precursor molecule for the synthesis of steroid hormones in the body. It is a type of lipid molecule found in cell membranes and is also utilized by the body to produce various hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone. Cholesterol undergoes enzymatic reactions in specific organs, such as the adrenal glands and gonads, to synthesize these steroid hormones crucial for various physiological functions.
Steroid hormones are synthesized through a series of enzymatic conversions that occur mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria of cells. Cholesterol is modified through several steps involving enzymes like cytochrome P450, which catalyze reactions to convert cholesterol into specific hormones based on the tissue and hormonal requirements. These transformations involve modifications to the carbon skeleton of cholesterol, resulting in the production of distinct steroid hormones vital for regulating numerous bodily processes.
Understanding the significance of cholesterol in hormone synthesis underscores its pivotal role in maintaining hormonal balance and physiological functions. The body regulates the synthesis of these hormones based on demand, utilizing cholesterol as a fundamental building block. Thus, cholesterol serves as the foundational molecule from which steroid hormones crucial for various bodily functions are derived. Thus the correct option is C. Cholesterol.