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Multiple Choice
How would you classify a hormone that is synthesized from cholesterol?
A
Steroid hormone
B
Peptide hormone
C
Amino acid-derived hormone
D
Glycoprotein hormone
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the structural origin of the hormone. Cholesterol is a lipid molecule and serves as the precursor for steroid hormones. This is a key clue for classification.
Step 2: Recall the major classes of hormones. Hormones are typically classified into four categories: steroid hormones, peptide hormones, amino acid-derived hormones, and glycoprotein hormones.
Step 3: Analyze the synthesis pathway. Steroid hormones are synthesized from cholesterol through enzymatic modifications in the adrenal glands, gonads, or other tissues. This distinguishes them from peptide hormones, which are made from amino acid chains, and amino acid-derived hormones, which are synthesized from single amino acids.
Step 4: Consider the chemical properties of steroid hormones. They are hydrophobic and can easily pass through cell membranes, unlike peptide hormones or glycoprotein hormones, which are hydrophilic and require receptors on the cell surface.
Step 5: Conclude that a hormone synthesized from cholesterol is classified as a steroid hormone based on its origin, synthesis pathway, and chemical properties.