AAMC FL Practice Exam

Squalene is a precursor for which type of hormones?

1. Peptide hormones

2. Steroid hormones

3. Amine hormones

4. Protein hormones

The correct answer is: Steroid hormones

Squalene is a crucial biochemical precursor in the synthesis of steroid hormones. Steroid hormones, which include hormones like cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen, are derived from cholesterol. Squalene is converted into cholesterol through a series of enzymatic reactions, and once cholesterol is formed, it serves as a backbone for the biosynthesis of various steroid hormones. In contrast, peptide hormones are composed of amino acids and are synthesized from proteins. Amine hormones are derived from aromatic amino acids, primarily tyrosine and tryptophan. Protein hormones, which are also made up of long chains of amino acids, have a different synthesis pathway entirely, starting from the transcription and translation of mRNA. Understanding the role of squalene in hormone biosynthesis highlights the importance of lipid precursors in the formation of specific classes of hormones, specifically steroid hormones, which are vital for numerous physiological functions in the body.