Cholesterol is categorized as which type of macromolecule?

Cholesterol is classified as a fat or lipid, specifically a type of sterol. It plays several essential roles in the body, including serving as a component of cell membranes, where it contributes to membrane fluidity and stability. Cholesterol is also a precursor for the synthesis of important molecules such as steroid hormones and bile acids, which are necessary for digestion.

Unlike proteins, which are made up of amino acids, carbohydrates that consist of sugar units, and nucleic acids that are composed of nucleotide monomers, cholesterol has a distinct structure characterized by a four-ring carbon backbone. This structural classification as a lipid is pivotal to its function in biological systems, highlighting why it is categorized specifically within this group.