Final answer:
Steroid hormones such as testosterone, estradiol, cortisol, and aldosterone are synthesized from cholesterol. Cholesterol is essential for many body functions, including hormone production, cell membrane structure, and production of vitamin D and bile salts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hormones that are synthesized from cholesterol are known as steroid hormones. Cholesterol, a common steroid, is mainly produced by the liver and serves as a precursor for these hormones. Important examples of steroid hormones include the sex hormones like testosterone, which is an androgen, and estradiol, which is an estrogen. Besides these, the adrenal glands produce steroid hormones such as cortisol, which is involved in metabolism, and aldosterone, which regulates osmoregulation.
Cholesterol is vital for many body functions, despite its negative reputation. It not only helps in the production of steroid hormones but is also essential for the formation of vitamin D, bile salts, and as a structural component of cell membranes where it resides in the phospholipid bilayer.
Steroid hormones are insoluble in water and are carried in the bloodstream by transport proteins, which allows them to remain in circulation for an extended period compared to peptide hormones.