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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is NOT a steroid?
A
Cortisol
B
Testosterone
C
Cholesterol
D
Insulin
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the definition of a steroid: Steroids are a class of lipids characterized by a core structure of four fused carbon rings (three cyclohexane rings and one cyclopentane ring). They are derived from cholesterol and include hormones like cortisol, testosterone, and others.
Analyze the chemical structure of each option: Cortisol, testosterone, and cholesterol all share the characteristic steroid structure of four fused rings, making them steroids.
Consider the structure and function of insulin: Insulin is a peptide hormone composed of amino acids, not a lipid. It does not have the four-ring steroid structure and is synthesized in the pancreas as a protein hormone.
Compare insulin to the other options: Insulin is fundamentally different from steroids in both structure and function. It regulates glucose metabolism, whereas steroids often act as signaling molecules for various physiological processes.
Conclude that insulin is NOT a steroid because it lacks the defining structural features of steroids and is classified as a peptide hormone instead.