Question

Steroid hormone is derived from
A) Corticoid
B) Cholesterol
C) Protein
D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: A steroid hormone is a steroid that functions as a hormone. The term steroid describes both the hormones produced by the body and the artificially produced medications that mimic the action of the naturally occurring steroids.

Complete Answer:
The natural steroid hormones are generally synthesized from cholesterol present in the gonads and in adrenal glands. They are lipids in nature and pass through the cell membrane as they are fat-soluble. Then they bind to steroid hormone receptors (which may be nuclear or cytosolic in accordance to the steroid hormone) to bring about changes within the cell. Steroid hormones are usually carried by blood by binding it to specific carrier proteins such as sex hormone-binding globulin or corticosteroid-binding globulin. Further conversions and catabolism of the hormones occur in the liver, in other "peripheral" tissues and in the target tissues. Cholesterol is the most common steroid and the precursor to vitamin D, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, aldosterone, cortisol, and bile salts. Steroid hormones also help in controlling metabolism, inflammation, immune functions, salt and water balance, development of sexual characteristics and the ability to withstand illness and injury.

Hence the correct answer is option B) Cholesterol.

Note:
Steroid hormones are grouped into two classes: corticosteroids (typically made in the adrenal cortex) and sex steroids (typically made in the gonads or placenta). Within those two classes are five types according to the receptors to which they bind: glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids (both are corticosteroids) and androgens, estrogens, and progestogens (sex steroids).