Editing Steroid (section)

=== Eukaryotic ===

[[Eukaryote|Eukaryotic]] cells, encompassing animals, plants, fungi, and protists, are characterized by their complex cellular structures, including a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Steroids distribution |date=2021 |doi=10.1073/pnas.2101276118 |pmid=34131078 |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |volume=118 |issue=25 |pmc=8237579 | vauthors = Hoshino Y, Gaucher EA |doi-access=free }}</ref> Sterols, a subgroup of steroids, play crucial roles in maintaining membrane fluidity, supporting cell signaling, and enhancing stress tolerance. These compounds are integral to eukaryotic membranes, where they contribute to membrane integrity and functionality.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steroids distribution |url=https://www.drugs.com/monograph/calcium-salts.html |access-date=17 May 2024 |archive-date=18 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118041341/https://www.drugs.com/monograph/calcium-salts.html |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

During [[eukaryogenesis]]—the evolutionary process that gave rise to modern eukaryotic cells—steroids likely facilitated the endosymbiotic acquisition of mitochondria.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Species distribution |date=2021 |doi=10.1073/pnas.2101276118 |pmid=34131078 |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |volume=118 |issue=25 |pmc=8237579 | vauthors = Hoshino Y, Gaucher EA |doi-access=free }}</ref>