AAMC FL Practice Exam

Which hormone is produced from squalene by the adrenal cortex?

1. Cortisone

2. Insulin

3. Serotonin

4. Estrogen

The correct answer is: Cortisone

The adrenal cortex synthesizes several key hormones, and the production of cortisone from squalene is a part of the steroidogenesis pathway. Squalene serves as a precursor in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones. Through a series of enzymatic steps, squalene undergoes conversion into cholesterol, which is further transformed into various steroid hormones, including the glucocorticoid cortisone. Cortisone plays an important role in metabolism and the body's stress response. It is not only involved in glucose metabolism but also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it crucial in various physiological processes. In contrast, insulin, produced by the pancreas, regulates blood sugar levels, and serotonin is a neurotransmitter that primarily functions in the central nervous system. Estrogen, a primary female sex hormone, can be produced from cholesterol but is not a direct product of squalene in the context of the adrenal cortex. The synthesis pathways for these hormones differ significantly from that of cortisone, highlighting why cortisone is the correct choice in this scenario.