Steroids
-Steroids classified as lipids because they are
hydrophobic, steroids are very different from fat
in structure and function.
- What all steroids have in common is a linked set
of four carbon ring.
- Different steroids vary in the functional groups
attached to this ensemble of rings.
- One steroid, cholesterol is a common component
of animal cell membranes and it also the precursor
from which other steroids are synthesized. Thus,
cholesterol is a crucial molecule in animals,
although a high level of it in blood may contribute
to atherosclerosis.