Lipids and Their Types · Zoology

Steroids are characterized structurally by:

  1. Long hydrocarbon chains
  2. Multiple glycerol units
  3. Four fused carbon rings
  4. Phosphate-containing backbones
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Correct answer: Four fused carbon rings

Steroids are characterized by a fused tetracyclic ring system: three six-membered cyclohexane rings (A, B, C) and one five-membered cyclopentane ring (D). This rigid planar backbone is shared by cholesterol, steroid hormones (estrogen, testosterone, cortisol), bile acids, and vitamin D.

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